LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky judge who declared his conscientious objection to handling adoption cases involving gay adults has been blocked from changing how he reviews adoption cases.
Judge W. Mitchell Nance submitted the proposed rule to the state's chief justice, John D. Minton Jr.
Administrative Office of the Courts spokeswoman Leigh Anne Hiatt said Friday that Minton had denied the request on procedural and substantive grounds.
Nance declined comment through a court official.
Kentucky law allows gay couples to adopt. Nance's critics said his proposal was aimed at allowing him to identify adoption cases involving gays and pre-emptively recuse himself. Civil rights groups have complained to the state's judicial disciplinary commission, saying Nance should be removed from the bench.
Nance hears family court cases in Barren and Metcalfe.
