CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – The attorney representing the plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging a North Carolina law that allows magistrates to refuse to perform gay marriages based on their religious beliefs says the measure violates the First Amendment.

Luke Largess said Wednesday that the law advances a religious point of view on gay marriage by using public money. He says that although people can have their opinions on gay marriage, the state cannot use taxpayer money for that view. He also says the state of North Carolina cannot finance religious efforts to push back against gay marriage.

Largess and backers of the lawsuit appeared at a news conference at the Mecklenburg County Government Center. The plaintiffs weren’t present.