Interracial Couple Denied Marriage Lisence in Louisiana

[brymble]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091015/ap_on_re_us/us_interracial_rebuff

:jawdrop:

Can you believe this?!?

[Neville]

Is the deep South still struggling with the fact that under the Skin we are all the same colour?

[brymble]

I think that this particular justice of the peace is struggling with the fact that interracial marriage has been legal since 1963 whether he likes it or not.

But of course he's not a racist. He has black friends. He even lets them come over to his house and use his bathroom. :rolleyes:

[Sollie]

Yeah, because the only marriages that end in divorce are interracial couples. I thought EVERYONE knew that. THINK OF TEH CHILDREN!


:geez:

[brymble]

My interracial marriage ended in divorce, but that had more to do with Suresh being a butthead than him being brown. Of course my same-race marriage also ended in divorce for the same reason.

Do I know how to pick 'em or what?

[Toby Stimpson]

This is absolutely ridiculous... it is.

and yet when two boys or two girls want to get married, it's not even noticed. I wonder what his reaction would be if it was a Gay Biracial couple coming in haha

[Sollie]

This is absolutely ridiculous... it is.

and yet when two boys or two girls want to get married, it's not even noticed. I wonder what his reaction would be if it was a Gay Biracial couple coming in haha
lol

I kinda love how he says he's not racist because he lets the black couples he's marrying use his bathroom...

[Starduster]

lol

I kinda love how he says he's not racist because he lets the black couples he's marrying use his bathroom...
And he probably feels really good about himself, like he did a good deed, for doing so.

And, no, it's not just the deep South. Unfortunately, ignorance can be found everywhere.

[orangeconey]

While what he did was definitely morally wrong and ridiculous to boot, was it illegal if he referred them to another justice because the marriage was against his beliefs?
Just wondering if it broke any rules...

ETA: I don't think it was illegal in the sense that states having anti-miscegenation laws was illegal. The couple wasn't exactly being denied their right to marry because they could just go to another justice.
Probably the only legal action that can be taken is a civil discrimination suit.

[Sollie]

While what he did was definitely morally wrong and ridiculous to boot, was it illegal if he referred them to another justice because the marriage was against his beliefs?
Just wondering if it broke any rules...
I don't know if it really did or not, because he said he wouldn't marry them. I think he has the right, as a non-government person?, to choose who he will sign the documents for. But I'm not sure.

[shadow_phoenix]

I have some heavy feelings on the matter. My husband is black and I'm white and we have the most beautiful son together. Now I don't live in south but I'm aware that racial prejudice is still present there. Here in Utah I know of several interracial couples some with kids and all of them seem like happy normal kids. However I know when Eli gets older I'm going to have a talk with him about race.
"There is a problem with both groups accepting a child from such a marriage," Bardwell said. "I think those children suffer and I won't help put them through it." This quote kinda hurt me in a way. Eli is well accepted by both his family's black and white. I do worry about him feeling as though he doesn't fit in when he gets older. but, i think we all go though that regardless of race. I know I had issues in school because I was about 20lbs overweight and for awhile I was picked on. The fact that he said most interracial marriages do not last long is a bunch a bull. The divorce rate in this country is 50% for all marriages! also just for your FYI here's some famous pepole that are half black/white- Jessica Alba ,Mariah Carey,Chris Brown,Halle Berry,Ashanti,Vin Diesel, Vanessa Williams, And of course Barack Obama. They all seen like happy people :)

[memnoch]

This guy is an idiot, however based on the state and local laws, he should not have to marry anyone he doesn't want to marry for any reason...as a minister myself I've turned down ceremonies because they didn't feel right to me (based more on my knowledge of the people). I couldn't imagine wanting to be authorized to perform marriages if I could not choose who I would/wouldn't marry for any reason

[Starduster]

also just for your FYI here's some famous pepole that are half black/white- Jessica Alba ,Mariah Carey,Chris Brown,Halle Berry,Ashanti,Vin Diesel, Vanessa Williams, And of course Barack Obama. They all seen like happy people :)



You forgot Dwayne Johnson :mmm:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eivLucFxzyQ/SjW0hZ7kdnI/AAAAAAAAAhs/vVoddFTeWPg/s400/1+DwayneJohnson+bald+balding+celeb+celebrities.jpg

edit: Actually he's 1/2 black 1/2 Pacific Islander
but this thread is much improved with the addition of his picture, lol.

[androgino]

I just read the story on Yahoo News.

That man really needs to learn that chocolate and vanilla go so well together that you may find some strawberry in it. :mmm:

[memnoch]

You forgot Dwayne Johnson :mmm:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eivLucFxzyQ/SjW0hZ7kdnI/AAAAAAAAAhs/vVoddFTeWPg/s400/1+DwayneJohnson+bald+balding+celeb+celebrities.jpg

edit: Actually he's 1/2 black 1/2 Pacific Islander
but this thread is much improved with the addition of his picture, lol.

Know your role and shut your mouth :toofless:

[shadow_phoenix]

You forgot Dwayne Johnson :mmm:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eivLucFxzyQ/SjW0hZ7kdnI/AAAAAAAAAhs/vVoddFTeWPg/s400/1+DwayneJohnson+bald+balding+celeb+celebrities.jpg

edit: Actually he's 1/2 black 1/2 Pacific Islander
but this thread is much improved with the addition of his picture, lol.

I was going to but he is actually Samoanian(sp?) and black but still Interracial. In my opinion him and Vin diesel are the hottest men alive!

[Starduster]

Know your role and shut your mouth :toofless:

The Rock is gonna lay the smackdown on your candy ass! :alol:


I kid! :p

[dandalion]

:heybaby:

You forgot Dwayne Johnson :mmm:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eivLucFxzyQ/SjW0hZ7kdnI/AAAAAAAAAhs/vVoddFTeWPg/s400/1+DwayneJohnson+bald+balding+celeb+celebrities.jpg

edit: Actually he's 1/2 black 1/2 Pacific Islander
but this thread is much improved with the addition of his picture, lol.

[brymble]

He's not a "non-government person". He isn't a minister, he's a justice of the peace, an elected official, legally representing the government and the people of his parish, and therefore, does not have the right to discriminate in that position, even if "it goes against his beliefs." There are more than just "rules" being broken here. This is a clear, blatant violation of the law.

[WitchJezebel]

You forgot Dwayne Johnson :mmm:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eivLucFxzyQ/SjW0hZ7kdnI/AAAAAAAAAhs/vVoddFTeWPg/s400/1+DwayneJohnson+bald+balding+celeb+celebrities.jpg

edit: Actually he's 1/2 black 1/2 Pacific Islander
but this thread is much improved with the addition of his picture, lol.


Okay, that picture raised my temperature and blood pressure at the same time.

[Kraheera]

He's not a "non-government person". He isn't a minister, he's a justice of the peace, an elected official, legally representing the government and the people of his parish, and therefore, does not have the right to discriminate in that position, even if "it goes against his beliefs." There are more than just "rules" being broken here. This is a clear, blatant violation of the law.


This. If he were a pharmacist, he MIGHT have some legal way to deny someone service... but as he is an elected official, and therefore part of the government, he cannot in any way discriminate due to race. It is illegal, and if he is that uncomfortable with giving out marriage licenses to interracial couples, then he needs to resign and work in another field.

[Rowan Darkmoon]

"I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way"

This part cracked me up. :lol: If this guy is a government official, this is illegal plain and simple.

[brymble]

This. If he were a pharmacist, he MIGHT have some legal way to deny someone service... but as he is an elected official, and therefore part of the government, he cannot in any way discriminate due to race. It is illegal, and if he is that uncomfortable with giving out marriage licenses to interracial couples, then he needs to resign and work in another field.

He can't discriminate in doing his job as justice of the peace. If he wants to be an ass at home, that's his right and his business. Were he a minister of a church that didn't approve of mixing races, that would also be his right, as disgusting as we may find it. But he wasn't a minister, he was an elected official discriminating solely on the basis of race in his official capacity as justice of the peace. Oh so graciously allowing his "many black friends" to use the bathroom does not excuse him discriminating on the job, does not change the law. He is an elected official, he broke the law, and even though he's whining about not being a racist and acting like a victim, I'm willing to bet he knew he was breaking the law. Why else would he be so defensive, play the bogus "think of the children!" card, and carry on about the legions of black friends that parade in and out of his bathroom? It's his job to know what he can and can't legally do as justice of the peace. He knew he was discriminating illegally.

[BryonMorrigan]

You forgot Dwayne Johnson :mmm:


You also forgot Martin Gore of Depeche Mode. ;)

http://img.listal.com/image/669939/500full-martin-gore.jpg

[memnoch]

He's not a "non-government person". He isn't a minister, he's a justice of the peace, an elected official, legally representing the government and the people of his parish, and therefore, does not have the right to discriminate in that position, even if "it goes against his beliefs." There are more than just "rules" being broken here. This is a clear, blatant violation of the law.


This. If he were a pharmacist, he MIGHT have some legal way to deny someone service... but as he is an elected official, and therefore part of the government, he cannot in any way discriminate due to race. It is illegal, and if he is that uncomfortable with giving out marriage licenses to interracial couples, then he needs to resign and work in another field.

a justice of the peace is elected in some areas and appointed in others, which is why I stated based on local and state laws. I don't know Louisiana's laws, nor do I think anyone who has commented did when making their posts...until I see the laws related to JP's I can not say for certain.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_of_the_peace

[Kraheera]

a justice of the peace is elected in some areas and appointed in others, which is why I stated based on local and state laws. I don't know Louisiana's laws, nor do I think anyone who has commented did when making their posts...until I see the laws related to JP's I can not say for certain.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_of_the_peace

A justice of the peace is still an official, GOVERNMENT position, and as such, must be held to government standards. As the Federal government disallowed the discrimination of such rights based upon race, no state or local government official can discriminate based on race.

So whether the guy was elected or appointed, it doesn't really matter. The fact is, he broke federal law.

[memnoch]

A justice of the peace is still an official, GOVERNMENT position, and as such, must be held to government standards. As the Federal government disallowed the discrimination of such rights based upon race, no state or local government official can discriminate based on race.

So whether the guy was elected or appointed, it doesn't really matter. The fact is, he broke federal law.

not necessarily, in some areas they aren't much different than a notary public, who does not have to sign anything they are not comfortable with. Most likely you are right, however we don't know all of the facts.

[memnoch]

I would like to also add that there could be other technical loopholes, like if he referred them to another JP it could be viewed that he didn't deny them marriage, just that he wouldn't preside over it, just like a judge who removes themselves from a case for different reasons...him openning his mouth on why could be his downfall if that is the case...again, not too familiar with the laws or all of the details related to this story.

[dandalion]

Not only did he refuse to conduct the marriage but he refused to issue the license. That is illegal and he is facing disciplinary actions because of it.

update on it (http://www.kptv.com/family/21318607/detail.html)

[brymble]

again, not too familiar with the laws or all of the details related to this story.


I believe if he's a government official, he isn't allowed to ask about or mention race at all.

Quoted from the update, above:

"A justice of the peace is legally obligated to serve the public, all of the public," Quigley said. "Racial discrimination has been a violation of Louisiana and U.S. law for decades. No public official has the right to pick and choose which laws they are going to follow."

[Terra Mater]

He made the mistake in thinking he could refuse to do something against his beliefs just as parmacists refuse to provide "morning after pills" if it is against their personal beliefs. Guess he knows better now.

[Laisrean]

This guy is racist, but I believe there are different varieties and degrees of racism. He says he has black friends, and that is probably true... I doubt he goes to Klan meetings or anything like that. So is he racist? Yeah, but not to a great degree.

Also, he is authorized to marry people but he is not obligated or required to do so. He does have the option of not marrying for any reason, even racist reasons. I don't see how it is a problem though, because there are hundreds if not thousands of others who can perform the marriage thing.

To me this is kinda funny because this guy is an antique. You don't hear about this sort of thing very often these days, so just laugh it off and move on to the next news topic. :smileroll

[Kraheera]

This guy is racist, but I believe there are different varieties and degrees of racism. He says he has black friends, and that is probably true... I doubt he goes to Klan meetings or anything like that. So is he racist? Yeah, but not to a great degree.

Also, he is authorized to marry people but he is not obligated or required to do so. He does have the option of not marrying for any reason, even racist reasons. I don't see how it is a problem though, because there are hundreds if not thousands of others who can perform the marriage thing.

To me this is kinda funny because this guy is an antique. You don't hear about this sort of thing very often these days, so just laugh it off and move on to the next news topic. :smileroll


It's a big deal because if we make an exception, we open up a whole new can of worms.

What happens when there is only ONE Justice of Peace in your area? What happens when they can deny you a marriage license due to illegal discrimination?

True, you COULD drive to the next district over to get your license, but WHY? Why should you have to? That's like saying it is OK that gays can't legally marry in all states... they could always go to the states that DO allow it.

[Nox_Mortus]

This guy is racist, but I believe there are different varieties and degrees of racism. He says he has black friends, and that is probably true... I doubt he goes to Klan meetings or anything like that. So is he racist? Yeah, but not to a great degree.

Also, he is authorized to marry people but he is not obligated or required to do so. He does have the option of not marrying for any reason, even racist reasons. I don't see how it is a problem though, because there are hundreds if not thousands of others who can perform the marriage thing.

To me this is kinda funny because this guy is an antique. You don't hear about this sort of thing very often these days, so just laugh it off and move on to the next news topic. :smileroll

Actually as I understand it, this guy is a judicial officer which means he is required to uphold the law, including any barring racial discrimination, if he where a minister or something it would be different.

[BryonMorrigan]

Actually as I understand it, this guy is a judicial officer which means he is required to uphold the law, including any barring racial discrimination, if he where a minister or something it would be different.

Exactly. Religious ministers can be discriminatory... (And that's a whole different can o' worms there...) ...but elected or appointed officials cannot...especially when they are acting against the Constitution. (Surprised the Conservatives aren't talking about "upholding the Constitution" on this point? Neither am I. [/ZING!])