The Ohio House passed the controversial so-called "Pastor Protection" Act on Wednesday.
Minority House Democrats says the bill that now moves to the Ohio Senate would allow businesses to discriminate against the LGBTQ community. Ohio Public Radio's Andy Chow reports.
Republican Nino Vitale has pushed for the “Pastor Protection” Act since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage.
His bill would allow clergy to refuse to solemnize marriages based on religious beliefs.
Vitale: “They see a very clear and real reason for the protection that this bill provides.”
But Democrat Janine Boyd stood against a provision which she says allows other undefined groups to refuse public accommodations.
Boyd: “Proprietors of property and services that rent to the public at-large can turn away members of the LGBTQ community.”
Opponents also argue that religious leaders are already protected under the Constitution.
