Alabama minister given suspended jail sentence for performing same-sex wedding
A minister in Alabama has been handed a suspended jail sentence, for refusing to stop marrying a lesbian couple.
Anne Susan Diprizio, a nondenominational ordained minister, was arrested in February in Prattville, Alabama, where she had attempted to marry Courtney Cannon and Morgan Plunkett.
Same-sex weddings are banned by the constitution in Alabama – but following a court ruling earlier this year a number of couples were briefly allowed the chance to marry.
However, one minister was arrested when she defied a judge’s order to stop marrying same-sex couples – and has since been handed a suspended jail sentence.
Ms Diprizio was this week found guilty of disorderly conduct charges over the February incident, when she refused to leave the Autuga County Probate Office.
She has been handed a a 30-day suspended jail sentence, with 6 months’ probation and a $250 fine.
Despite a number of anti-gay groups claiming to support ‘religious freedom’ of ministers on the issue, not one has spoken out to defend Diprizio.
Ms Diprizio said: “I’m glad this is over and we can put this behind us.”
Assistant district attorney Desirae Lewis also expressed relief, telling USA Today of the case: “It took a little longer than I was expecting for a misdemeanor plea, but I’m glad it’s behind us,” Lewis said. “No one wanted to see Mrs. DiPrizio serving any jail time.”
