Mississippi wedding venue refuses interracial pair over owner's Christian faith
Image copyrightGOOGLEImage captionBoone's Camp Event Hall in Booneville, Mississippi
A US interracial couple was turned away by a wedding venue because the owner said their ｕnion went against her Christian beliefs, video shows.
The footage was filmed at Boone's Camp Event Hall in Booneville, Mississippi, by the groom's sister who met the woman about the rejection.
During the exchange the owner says the decision was because we "don't do gay weddings or mixed race".
The owner apologised in a now-ｄeleted Facebook post.
The video was first reported by website Deep South Voice, and quickly went viral on social media.
LaKambria Welch said her brother and his partner were first told in an email the venue was not prepared to host the event. So Ms Welch went down in person to find out more.
"First of all, we don't do gay weddings or mixed race," says a woman in a grey shirt, identified as the venue's owner by US media.
Asked why not, she replied: "Because of our Christian race, I mean our Christian beliefs," adding: "We just don't participate. We just choose not to."
When asked what passage of the Bible informs that belief, the owner adds: "I don't want to argue my faith."
The exchange prompted the City of Booneville to release a statement condemning "these types of discriminatory policies".
The City of Booneville, Mayor, and Board of Aldermen are aware of the comments recently made by a privately owned...
Posted by City of Booneville on Monday, 2 September 2019
The City of Booneville, Mayor, and Board of Aldermen are aware of the comments recently made by a privately owned business located within the city of Booneville.
The City of Booneville, Mayor, and Board of Aldermen do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.
Furthermore, the City of Booneville, Mayor, and Board of Aldermen do not condone or approve these types of discriminatory policies.
End of Facebook post by City of Booneville
The Facebook page for Boone's Camp Event Hall was taken offline following the video's release, but later re-opened on Sunday to post a lengthy apology before being closed again.
In the post the owner said she had been taught as a child that people were meant to stay "with your own race" but that after consulting with her pastor she now realised nothing in the bible prohibited interracial marriages.
She continued: "To all of those offended, hurt or felt condemn [sic] by my statement I truly apologise to you for my ignorance in not knowing the truth about this. My intent was never of racism, but to stand firm on what I 'assumed' was right concerning marriage."
In a statement provided to BBC News, the Boone's Camp Event Hall said "they are grateful that the bride forgave them" and that the couple has been re-invited to use the event space.
Interracial marriage has been legal across the US since 1967 when the Supreme Court reached that decision in Loving v Virginia.
In 2016, Mississippi passed a first of its kind law that protects "sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions", meaning businesses can legally refuse service to same-sex partners and transgender people.
The law, which was meant to preserve religious freedom, does not mention race.
Vocabulary
1. pre·serve
Verb maintain (something) in its original or existing state.
2. foot·age
Noun a length of film made for movies or television.
"film footage of the riot"
3. be·lief
Noun an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists.
"his belief in the value of hard work"
4. con·demn
Verb express complete disapproval of, typically in public; censure.
Discussions
1. Do you think the owner of the venue has the right to refuse the interracial marriage?
2. What is your view on the transgender marriage?
3. Why do you think the interracial marriage was illegal before 1967?
