Bride condemns denial of marriage license

AMITE CITY, La., Oct. 18 (UPI) -- A white woman denied a marriage license to a black man in Louisiana says Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell is racist and should have his license revoked.

Beth Humphrey and Terrence McKay last week were denied a marriage license by Bardwell, who is white. Bardwell reportedly said he doesn't marry interracial couples because the marriages don't last and he was concerned for children born of such relationships.

Humphrey, who married McKay with the help of another justice of the peace, told CNN she supports calls by Gov. Bobby Jindal and U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu to revoke Bardwell's license.

The new bride said the issue with Bardwell arose for a reason.

"I just think that God puts you in the right positions at the right time in order to stand up to people who -- who choose to live their lives with hate," she told CNN.

Laws against interracial marriage were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967.