Wyoming Supreme Court to hear arguments on same-sex marriage

The Wyoming Supreme Court is set to hear arguments from a magistrate who is due to be removed from office over her comments that she would refuse, if ever asked, to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple.

Ruth Neely, a Pinedale judge, filed a petition in April asking the court to reject a recommendation from the state Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics that she lose her job as a municipal judge and circuit court magistrate.

Neely said in 2014 she would not perform same-sex marriages because of her religious beliefs.

Commission lawyers say Neely’s position violates the code of judicial conduct. Neely’s attorneys maintain that removing her from the position would violate her religious rights.

The Supreme Court will hear the arguments Wednesday.