Judge DENIES mixed couple Marriage certificate
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/15/interracial-couple-denied_...
HAMMOND, La. — A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have.
Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.
Neither Bardwell nor the couple immediately returned phone calls from The Associated Press. But Bardwell told the Daily Star of Hammond that he was not a racist.
"I do ceremonies for black couples right here in my house," Bardwell said. "My main concern is for the children."
Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.
"I don't do interracial marriages because I don't want to put children in a situation they didn't bring on themselves," Bardwell said. "In my heart, I feel the children will later suffer."
If he does an interracial marriage for one couple, he must do the same for all, he said.
"I try to treat everyone equally," he said.
Thirty-year-old Beth Humphrey and 32-year-old Terence McKay, both of Hammond, say they will consult the U.S. Justice Department about filing a discrimination complaint.
Humphrey told the newspaper she called Bardwell on Oct. 6 to inquire about getting a marriage license signed. She says Bardwell's wife told her that Bardwell will not sign marriage licenses for interracial couples.
"It is really astonishing and disappointing to see this come up in 2009," said American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana attorney Katie Schwartzman. "The Supreme Court ruled as far back as 1963 that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry."
The ACLU was preparing a letter for the Louisiana Supreme Court, which oversees the state justices of the peace, asking them to investigate Bardwell and see if they can remove him from office, Schwartzman said.
"He knew he was breaking the law, but continued to do it," Schwartzman said.
According to the clerk of court's office, application for a marriage license must be made three days before the ceremony because there is a 72-hour waiting period. The applicants are asked if they have previously been married. If so, they must show how the marriage ended, such as divorce.
Other than that, all they need is a birth certificate and Social Security card.
The license fee is $35, and the license must be signed by a Louisiana minister, justice of the peace or judge. The original is returned to the clerk's office.
HAMMOND, La. — A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have.
Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.
Neither Bardwell nor the couple immediately returned phone calls from The Associated Press. But Bardwell told the Daily Star of Hammond that he was not a racist.
"I do ceremonies for black couples right here in my house," Bardwell said. "My main concern is for the children."
Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.
"I don't do interracial marriages because I don't want to put children in a situation they didn't bring on themselves," Bardwell said. "In my heart, I feel the children will later suffer."
If he does an interracial marriage for one couple, he must do the same for all, he said.
"I try to treat everyone equally," he said.
Thirty-year-old Beth Humphrey and 32-year-old Terence McKay, both of Hammond, say they will consult the U.S. Justice Department about filing a discrimination complaint.
Humphrey told the newspaper she called Bardwell on Oct. 6 to inquire about getting a marriage license signed. She says Bardwell's wife told her that Bardwell will not sign marriage licenses for interracial couples.
"It is really astonishing and disappointing to see this come up in 2009," said American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana attorney Katie Schwartzman. "The Supreme Court ruled as far back as 1963 that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry."
The ACLU was preparing a letter for the Louisiana Supreme Court, which oversees the state justices of the peace, asking them to investigate Bardwell and see if they can remove him from office, Schwartzman said.
"He knew he was breaking the law, but continued to do it," Schwartzman said.
According to the clerk of court's office, application for a marriage license must be made three days before the ceremony because there is a 72-hour waiting period. The applicants are asked if they have previously been married. If so, they must show how the marriage ended, such as divorce.
Other than that, all they need is a birth certificate and Social Security card.
The license fee is $35, and the license must be signed by a Louisiana minister, justice of the peace or judge. The original is returned to the clerk's office.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Cookie Pie on -
This judge sounds a bit crazy and stuck in another time , I hope they remove him from his position .
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Permalink Reply by Amel on -
Why is this happening in 2009?
Concerned for the childen my ass. He IS a racist! Who the hell told him he was the authority on kids of mixed marriages? Whatever he thinks that black or white society does not except is none of his business. Out of all the things to be concerned about when it comes to children and he picks this? He's a liar and he's hiding behind his so called concern for the children to cover up his racist ways. It's not black or white society that does not except it, it's HIM that does not except it. A marriage is a celebration of love. And as a couple that is what you teach your kids. This is what he should be telling them instead of denying them.
And his wife appearantly thinks the same way. Sounds to me like they don't have a problem with black folks just as long as they stay on their side of the fence. This is nothing but that old southern bigotry. The devil can have these people.
Ok I gotta stop now. I've been posting too much today. Time to lay down and watch a little television.
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Permalink Reply by JustMe on -
ummm... I have a gazillion black cousins married to a gazillion white chick in LOUISIANA... so there is something wrong with this judge... his dumb ass needs a new post within the KKK, but definitely not as JOP
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Permalink Reply by Moving In Silence on -
Which part of the swamp were they trying to marry in? Somebody in the justice department forgot to send ol boy the memo that segragation's over.
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Permalink Reply by Madison on -
this jack ass said 'they even use my bathroom' about his 'black friends'
call me umm ignorant why does he not move well to Germany would be great place for him but at least to Utah
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Permalink Reply by C*u*t*e* on -
These days everything is accepted so I don't know what he's talking about. 50% of ALL marriages fail and in my opinion the interacial marriages last or survive the most because both parties have something to prove to their families. Not to say we should force things on people but if it's in the family then they just have to deal with it.
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Permalink Reply by Pretty In My Pink on -
I don't understand what the problem is... So he didn't want to marry them, big deal. It's not like he's against marrying blacks to blacks, whites to whites etc. That's ONE judge in that city, there's plenty of other judges they could go to... which was his point.
He didn't say, no you guys can't get married, beat it. He said, I don't want to do it. He doesn't have to.
It's the same thing as a judge in a state where gay marriages are legal, saying you know what, I don't want to do that... He doesn't have to.
Or a doctor who doesn't believe in abortion, saying, I'm not giving you an abortion.
They just need to find another judge and move on... duh.
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Permalink Reply by Siren on -
Nope not germany either and not Montana either... He needs to go straight to hell where his bigot racist ass belongs...
Madison said:this jack ass said 'they even use my bathroom' about his 'black friends'
call me umm ignorant why does he not move well to Germany would be great place for him but at least to Utah
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Permalink Reply by MoCha M. on -
Let me start by saying that i DO NOT condone this " Justice of Peace" actions but i will say this, its funny how some people are quick to yell that he's racist ( which i think he is) but just next door on another thread those same people are throwing shade on theses "Ballers" who choose to date or marry outside there race??? its just funny thats all...
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Permalink Reply by Amel on
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The problem is that he can't accept that people are people. Ther problem is that he broke the law. The problem is that he said he "I try to treat everyone equally".... which he clearly does not. Issuing marriage licenses to a black couple or a white couple and not an interracial couple is not equal.
Pretty In My Pink said:I don't understand what the problem is... So he didn't want to marry them, big deal. It's not like he's against marrying blacks to blacks, whites to whites etc. That's ONE judge in that city, there's plenty of other judges they could go to... which was his point.
He didn't say, no you guys can't get married, beat it. He said, I don't want to do it. He doesn't have to.
It's the same thing as a judge in a state where gay marriages are legal, saying you know what, I don't want to do that... He doesn't have to.
Or a doctor who doesn't believe in abortion, saying, I'm not giving you an abortion.
They just need to find another judge and move on... duh.
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Permalink Reply by Amel on
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I know you did not attack me personally but let me just say that it really does not matter to me who these "ballers" or anyone else marries. I have never attacked anyone for dating outside their race. It's really none of my business. I come here and vent just like everyone else. But I would never say that two people should not be together because one is white and the other is black or whatever. I'm not even trying to get with a baller so trust me, it does not matter.
But I do get where your coming from.
MoCha M. said:Let me start by saying that i DO NOT condone this " Justice of Peace" actions but i will say this, its funny how some people are quick to yell that he's racist ( which i think he is) but just next door on another thread those same people are throwing shade on theses "Ballers" who choose to date or marry outside there race??? its just funny thats all...
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Permalink Reply by MoCha M. on
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And thats exactly why my comment does not apply to you =D...those people know who im talking to
Amel said:I know you did not attack me personally but let me just say that it really does not matter to me who these "ballers" or anyone else marries. I have never attacked anyone for dating outside their race. It's really none of my business. I come here and vent just like everyone else. But I would never say that two people should not be together because one is white and the other is black or whatever. I'm not even trying to get with a baller so trust me, it does not matter.
But I do get where your coming from.
MoCha M. said:Let me start by saying that i DO NOT condone this " Justice of Peace" actions but i will say this, its funny how some people are quick to yell that he's racist ( which i think he is) but just next door on another thread those same people are throwing shade on theses "Ballers" who choose to date or marry outside there race??? its just funny thats all...
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