Churches refuse funeral for gay man, hand his husband anti-gay leaflets
A man in Arkansas who is organising his husband’s funeral has been turned away from numerous churches and other venues.
Jay Hoskins has been trying to organise a memorial service for his late husband, James Stone, close to Mr Stone’s hometown in Mountain Home, Arkansas since January 19th. The Clarkridge Church of Christ cancelled his booking, and others refused to book him at all.
He was even turned down by the local firehouse, which was built by Mr Stone’s father. Some church parishioners handed Mr Stone’s mother envelopes full of leaflets condemning gay relationships.
Mr Hoskins said in a comment on the Dallas Voice website: “Two members of the Clarkridge Church of Christ gave James grieving mother, myself and the preacher a nice big envelope, each one filled with over 10 pages of Bible passages condemning us to hell, referencing God’s marriage laws, marriage amongst people and animals, and then a sympathy card.
“I have never experienced such hate and bigotry in my life. James was taught not to be bigoted, hateful, and would not have approved of this.
“I lost the love of my life just over two weeks ago, and still don’t know how I am going to carry on, but will have to adapt.”
The couple had been together for ten years, and married in New Mexico six months ago.
Earlier this month, a woman’s funeral was cancelled due to a video featuring photos of her wife.
