RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - The man who has drawn the ire of same-sex marriage opponents over his refusal to provide local magistrates with conscience protection when it comes to opting out of marrying same-sex couples has announced he is retiring from leading the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Multiple media reports say John Smith will retire May 1.

He has been in the position since 2009.

Smith told magistrates in a memo that if they didn't marry same-sex couples, following court rulings that call into question North Carolina's gay marriage ban, they could face disciplinary action.

Legislative leaders are now pursuing conscience protection legislation to address the issue.