PHILADELPHIA, Miss. (AP) — Gov. Phil Bryant says it is “unfortunate” that a predominantly white church in central Mississippi wouldn’t allow a black couple to get married in its sanctuary.
Bryant says Mississippi should encourage the union of any couple—as long as the couple is made up of a man and a woman.
Bryant responded to questions about the wedding flap from The Associated Press on Thursday after he spoke at the Neshoba County Fair.
Charles and Te’Andrea Wilson say they weren’t allowed to marry at First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs.
The Rev. Stan Weatherford, pastor of the church, married the Wilsons earlier this month at a predominantly black church. The wedding was moved after some congregants told Weatherford they opposed allowing black people to marry in the church.
Previous Comments
Unfortunate? meaning, unlucky? Couldn’t he muster a little disapproval? No, he reserved disapproval for marriage equality.
#664 | Author: reimo | Date: Aug 2 2012
I know: “unfortunate” doesn’t sound like a word you use for abject bigotry, does it? I’d choose “disgusting,” “tragic,” “unconscionable,” “abhorrent,” perhaps. But getting Bryant to go that far is probably something. I’m sure he has a supporter or two that thinks he shouldn’t have been so hard on them.
#665 | Author: Donna Ladd | Date: Aug 2 2012
Recent Immigration Stories
The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.
