COLAGE is appalled at the news from yesterday that an interracial couple was denied a marriage license by a Louisiana Justice of the Peace who claimed that the marriage might be harmful to children produced from the partnership. As people with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer parents, we know all too well that political and legal decisions are made it way too often in the name of our best interests.

Asha Leong, COLAGE Board of Directors member shared, "As a fellow Southerner and mixed-race COLAGEr I found Keith Bardwell's decision to deny a mixed-race couple a marriage license to be completely wrong. While he wouldn't approve of my multi-racial Chinese, Indian and Irish heritage I know first hand the strengths and joys that come from having family literally all over the world."

Keith Bardwell said of his decision, "There is a problem with both groups accepting a child from such a marriage. I think those children suffer and I won't help put them through it."

Beth Humphrey, 30, and 32-year-old Terence McKay, both of Hammond, say they will consult the U.S. Justice Department about filing a discrimination complaint.

COLAGE applauds the couple for having the courage to share their story and will continue to work for the day when children are allowed to speak for themselves as to their own best interests and when all families receive equal protections, recognition and rights. As Asha summed up, "COLAGE has helped me connect to a community of people who have families just like mine. The power of our collective organizing easily erases any challenges that arise from being the multiracial child of lesbian parents."

Read the full story here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113852383&ft=1&f=1001