Reverend Edward James of Bertha Chapel Missionary Baptist Church protests gay marriage in Mississippi with horse in a wedding dress.
A Mississippi pastor tapped into his creative side while embarking on aprotest of gay marriage by dressing up a horse to demonstrate how ridiculous he thinks it is.
The pastor, Reverend Edward James of Bertha Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, brought the horse to the federal courthouse on Friday in Jackson to protest a federal judge's ruling, currently on hold, to overturn the state's ban on gay marriage.
"The horse is to show the ridiculous idea of two men getting married," said James to News Channel 12.
The horse came with white flowers tucked into its harness and a bouquet. James waved signs at passersby that featured messages mocking the proposal to allow gay marriage in the state.
One read, "Do you take this horse to be your unnatural wedded spouse to have and to hold?"
James hopes to change the mind of U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves who struck down Mississippi's same-sex marriage ban ruling last month. Despite that ruling, gay couples still cannot marry in the state pending the outcome of a state appeal to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans which is hearing arguments in the case on Jan. 9.
"I'm a Mississippian and I'm praying and hoping that we will remain a state that only recognizes marriage between a man and a woman," he said.
A local LBGT advocate commented on the stunt pulled by James who stood outside for more than two hours as people honked their horns or stopped to take pictures.
"I thought it was laughable and I believe he was going for a ridiculous protest and he certainly got one," said LBGT advocate Eddie Outlaw. "I think the good reverend should probably focus on what he can do to minister to the needs of the LGBT community and not get involved with hot button interests like marriage equality right now."
Still, James felt convinced in his mission.
"I've had 100-percent support so far, thumbs up, tooting on the horns, I've even had a couple come out and give me a hug and hug the horse," he said.
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