Ministers could face jail time for refusing to officiate gay wedding

Donald and Evelyn Knapp, ordained ministers of the Hitching Post Wedding Chapel in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, are being threatened by their city with jail time and up to a $1,000 fine for refusing to perform same-sex weddings, Fox News reports.

Since the chapel is registered as a "religious corporation," city officials say the Knapps must comply with a local nondiscrimination ordinance, according to Fox.

Same-sex marriages commenced in Idaho on Oct. 15, and the Knapps declined to perform such a service two days later. Jeremy Tedesco of Alliance Defending Freedom is representing the Knapps, whom he said "are in fear that if they exercise their First Amendment rights, they will be cited, prosecuted, and sent to jail."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

The Knapps could face up to 180 days in jail for refusing to perform gay wedding ceremonies.