Judge sued for refusing to conduct interracial marriage

A justice of the peace is facing a US federal lawsuit for refusing to perform a marriage ceremony for a black man and a white woman.

The couple, Beth Humphrey and Terence McKay, filed the suit against Keith Bardwell, alleging that Mr Bardwell violated their civil rights when he refused to perform the ceremony in Louisiana.

The suit seeks financial penalties because of mental anguish and emotional distress.

Mr Bardwell, a justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, has said he routinely “recuses” himself from marrying interracial couples because he believes such marriages cause harm to the couples’ children.