Judge Who Nixed Interracial Marriage Quits

(AP)  A Louisiana justice of the peace who refused to marry a couple because the bride was white and groom was black resigned Tuesday.

Keith Bardwell, who is white, quit the post with a one-sentence statement to Louisiana Secretary of State Jay Dardenne and no explanation of his decision: "I do hereby resign the office of Justice of the Peace for the Eighth Ward of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, effective November 3, 2009."

Bardwell refused to perform the ceremony for Beth Humphrey and Terence McKay because they are of different races.

When questioned about his refusal, Bardwell acknowledged he routinely recuses himself from marrying interracial couples because he believes such marriages cause harm to the couples' children. In interviews, he said he refers such couples to other justices of the peace, who then perform the ceremony, which happened in this case.

Humphrey has said she and McKay received their marriage license from the parish clerk of court, where they also received a list of people qualified to perform the ceremony. When she called Bardwell's office to ask about the ceremony on Oct. 6, Humphrey said Bardwell's wife told her that the justice wouldn't sign their marriage license because they were a "mixed couple."

Bardwell didn't immediately return a call for comment Tuesday about his resignation, which followed calls for his ouster from several public officials, including Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu.

Humphrey and McKay have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Bardwell.

[Virgil-1]

He should have stood for his rights,not the ACLU Gestapos.

[Virgil-1]

Shame that he couldn't have stayed on and nixed more.His life was probably threatened by ACLU.This would be their speed.

[Iamthemango]

Not sure if justices of the peace are elected officials or whether they apply for the job, take an exam and get credentials (e.g., notary public).

Someone please correct me here.

[NtheNews]

It's a good thing he quit because his actions were unjust. Obviously he has only read certain portions of the Bible when formulating his opinion.

Matthew 22:37-40 (New International Version)
Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

[rwsmith29456]

He quit. Good.

[all4science]

He needs councelling; who is he to play god?

[C G Bartlett]

I am an ordained minister and would refuse to perform a (so-called) marriage ceremony for a homosexual couple....What do you think of that America? Come on you politically correct wolves, surely you can think of SOMETHING inteligently sounding to insult me.

[Lawyers-Guns-n-Money-01]

1. Gay marriage is not legal in most states.
2. If you're marrying in the church, you probably wouldn't marry a Catholic and a Jew either.
3. My opinion is marriage should be relegated to the church and the church only.

[nursemark-2009]

While it might be fine for you to not marry a gay couple based on your understanding of the Bible. But do you find anywhere in your Bible teaches that people of different races should not marry? I don't find it in mine, and I hold a Master of Divinity degree. DO you?

[jaydee102]

What a novel idea, June Carter. You don't think judges should have to follow the law. You think they should be able to make it up as they go along, according to their "personal convictions". How cute! Furthermore, you describe a lawsuit launched to uphold Constitutional Law as "frivilous". Well, hot dang - you must be a Republican!

[junecarter]

Mr. Bardwell: While I disagree with you that interracial marriages are necessarily bad for children, I support your decision to deny the marriage based on your own personal convictions. It's the USA. We are free to make such decisions. A frivilous lawsuit and the Gov. and Senator jumping on the bandwagon for popularity with voters is embarrassing for the State of Lousiana and the USA in general as it undermines the process of freedom of thought. I am with you. You have my support. If a lawsuit ensues, you have my financial support as well for a legal defense. Just contact me at [e-mail] Thank you for your public service.

[armyoftwelve]

Was he required to perform marriages??

[formrusmcsgt]

Inter-racial marriages are not illegal, so the answer is YES.

[mensarino]

He was absolutely required to marry qualified applicants.He did not so he quit before he could be removed.