Gay partners celebrate rite to bless relationships

Denise Chustz held on to her partner, Wendy Suchowski, tightly as they stared at one another Saturday afternoon.

As the sun beamed down on the Pointe Coupee couple, they began to smile broadly after the Rev. Keith Mozingo, announced, “You may now kiss your partner.”

Next to them, their friends, Adam White and Bolton Morris, of Plaquemine, did the same. The two couples were among the approximately 30 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender couples who took part in a blessing of relationships ceremony during the third annual Baton Rouge Pride Fest.

Mozingo, pastor of Metropolitan Community Church, officiated over the blessing of relationships at Magnolia Mound Plantation. The church is part of a national denomination that recognizes and supports gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender lifestyles and relationships.

Mozingo said the blessings performed Saturday do not constitute legally recognized unions.

“It’s finally saying to those couples that (they’re) in a valid relationship,” Mozingo said.

White said he and Morris will wait to get married until it is legal in Louisiana.

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