A filibuster continues in the state senate in Jefferson City, as Democrats try to block action on a measure to expand religious exemptions for those who object to same sex marriage. The debate has been underway since about 4pm Monday and was still underway early Tuesday morning.

The bill sponsor, Republican Bob Onder, doesn’t think state and local governments should penalize religious organizations, clergy and businesses for refusing to conduct or facilitate same sex marriage ceremonies. He’s proposing a constitutional amendment to allow Missouri voters to decide. He denied accusations of bigotry.

“By the time you add all these groups together, you have about three million Americans,” Onder said from the dais. “And, just to attribute to all those folks, minus me, some sort of bigoted motivation, Senator, I don’t think is fair.”

Democrat Jason Holsman opposes the measure. “It’s altogether plausible that people who don’t have those same motivations to deny the services will come together with an intellectual effort to try and justify that denial,” Holsman said.

“They may say ‘it’s not that I think that gay people should be discriminated against, but if they’re going to be discriminated against, but if they’re going to be discriminated against, then let’s do it in the most legal way possible.”

The bill would bar penalties including fines or the elimination of tax-exempt status. If the Legislature approves Onder’s bill, Missourians would likely vote on the issue in either August or November.

(MissouriNet)