State officials in Argentina are refusing to comply with the country's new gay marriage law.

In the province of Entre Rios, state official Alberto Arias said his conscience won't let him marry homosexual couples.

Judge Marta Covella of La Pampa also refused, saying that it goes against her Christian principles.

Covella added that "in the Bible, God does not approve of that way of living."

President Cristina Fernandez signed the new gay marriage law July 21. Several politicians, human rights activists and gay rights activists attended the ceremony in the Presidential Palace.

Argentina's first official same-sex marriage is expected to take place as early as Aug. 13.

*Originally published July 23, 2010.