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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Gay partners celebrate rite to bless relationships

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Anti-Gay Bullying At Some Kennewick Schools. School Leaders Working on Changes

KENNEWICK, Wash.– Anti-gay bullying in school for some students is a daily battle. One student at Kamiakin High describes what it’s like through her eyes.

“I know friends that have gotten serious threats and they either go home for a few days, or transfer schools,” said Taylor Pack, a student.

Pack says her and others have asked school staff to start a Gay Straight Alliance on campus, but were told it wouldn’t be well received.

Kennewick staff know it’s a problem they need to address.

“Kids are experiencing rejection for no good reason and I think we have work to do to fix that,” said Wendy London, a member of the Kennewick School Board.

That’s why about two weeks ago London attended a meeting at the Vista Youth Center. There she heard feedback from students like Taylor. It was a first for London and may also be the first step toward change.

“We are concerned about student safety and we can’t address policy unless we have information about what’s actually going on in our schools,” said London.

London says while there may be some resistance at first, no tolerance for bullying policies are among some of the changes she hopes to see in the future.

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