Why did a Hammond, Louisiana justice of the peace refuse to grant Beth Humphrey a marriage license?
Louisiana Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell has refused to grant a marriage license to an interracial couple over supposed concerns as to the difficulties the couple’s future children might face due to their parents’ differing ethnicity. Bardwell, who refused to marry thirty-year-old Beth Humphrey and thirty-two-year-old Terence McKary, both of Hammond, presides over Tangipahoa Parish. The couple in question are said to be in the process of filing a discrimination complaint with the Louisiana Supreme Court. Bardwell says his main concern is that, in his opinion, interracial marriages do not last long. He insists he is not racist*, telling local paper the Hammond Daily Star: “I don’t do interracial marriages because I don’t want to put children in a situation they didn’t bring on themselves… in my heart, I feel the children will later suffer.” According to an AP article, which can be found here, Beth Humphrey phoned Bardwell to inquire about signing their marriage license on Oct. 6,
Today’s Wake-up Call: JP won’t sign license for interracial couples Like this story? Share it with Yahoo! Buzz A Louisiana justice of the peace who refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple last week says he’s no racist but has drawn a sharp rebuke from civil rights organizations in the state, The Daily Star of Hammond reports. The couple say they plan to consult the U.S. Justice Department about filing a discrimination complaint. Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, defends his actions by saying that it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long, The Star says. “I’m not a racist,” Bardwell says. “I do ceremonies for black couples right here in my house. My main concern is for the children.” Beth Humphrey, 30, and her boyfriend, Terence McKay, 32, both of Hammond, said they tried to get a marriage license last week but were told the JP will not sign licenses for interracial marriages. “I simply can’t believe he can do tha
This week in Tangipahoa Parish, Mr. Keith Bardell a Justice of the Peace in Hammond, Louisiana, refused to marry Mr. Terence McKay and Miss. Beth Humphrey because they are an interracial couple. According to Mr. Keith Bardell who has been a Justice of the Peace since 1976, interracial marriages are morally wrong, and he states that it is his right not to marry the couple. However, according to the Louisiana Judicial Code of Conduct, “A judge shall perform judicial duties without bias or prejudice.” Sources: http://www.examiner.
