A provision passed by North Carolina legislators on Wednesday would allow officials to opt-out of conducting gay marriage ceremonies. 

The magistrates that threatened to quit if they had to perform the ceremonies will be able to decline without losing their jobs. 

The bill passed by the state Senate does not specifically mention gay marriage, but says that the magistrates can submit their "sincerely held religious objection" in writing, and not perform any marriages for six months. The objection can be removed at any time. 

Senate leader Phil Berger sponsored the bill after an officer quit his job because of his opposition to same-sex marriage. The Republican emphasised that gay couples will still be able to marry in the state. 

"While the courts have taken steps to provide special rights to some, we must not ignore the constitutionally protected rights of others," Berger said in a statement.

Opponents to the bill saw the measure as discriminatory, and compared it to the treatment of interracial couples in the past. 

"This discriminatory bill treats gay and lesbian couples as second-class citizens and distorts the true meaning of religious freedom," said Reverend Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, director of the Campaign for Southern Equality.

The bill would also allow employees to opt-out of issuing marriage certificates because of their religious beliefs. 

The measure passed in the Senate 32-16, and will be voted on in the House as early as Friday. The Republicans control both houses in North Carolina. 

Six magistrates abruptly resigned in North Carolina in November -- less than a month after the state legalised same-sex marriage. According to the Christian Post, all of the magistrates resigned because they believe gay marriage is contrary to their Christian faith, and they do not want to conduct gay marriage ceremonies.