Gay Man’s Jury Duty Defiance Over Same-Sex Marriage Successful

A Florida man faced contempt of court yet bravely protested a county clerk’s refusal to marry same-sex couples.

Chuck Chapman was on a mission Tuesday. The 63-year old has lived in Jacksonville, Florida since he was 2-years old, and feels strongly about equality and fairness. So when he received a summons to report for jury duty, he went, but with a plan.

Clerk of Court Ronnie Fussell as refused to allow any couples to marry in the Duval County courthouse since same-sex marriage became legal. 

LOOK: Gay Man Refuses Jury Duty Because County Clerk Refuses To Perform Marriages

“If they feel uncomfortable performing the weddings in the courthouse, then as an openly gay man I feel uncomfortable being here [at the courthouse],” Chapman said. “It’s my town, and I happen to be a gay man. Don’t make it any more difficult than it has been. It’s my town, too.”

After his number for jury duty was called yesterday, Chapman told the judge he felt uncomfortable serving. 

“The judge said something to the affect, ‘does anyone in the jury selection pool have any prejudices or biases?'” Chapman told FCN, which has a video of his interview.

“I just don’t feel comfortable in the courthouse,” he told the judge. “If the clerk of the court doesn’t feel comfortable performing same sex marriages, as an openly gay man, I don’t know how I can feel comfortable in court.”

As a taxpayer, Chapman is incensed.

“The clerk of the court said they would not perform anyone’s wedding, heterosexual, homosexual, anyone. There were 1900 weddings performed in the courthouse in 2013. There’s a chapel in that courthouse for weddings. There’s money being lost on that courthouse because the clerks of the court do not feel comfortable marrying same-sex partners,” Chapman says.

“I’m a taxpayer in this community. I’m a citizen in this community. My rights should be across the board just like anybody else has and anybody else wants and anybody else needs.”

“I hope this brings some awareness to the clerk of the courts. This is Duval County. Until this community gets in a position and embraces diversity, we’ll never move forward.”

His brave stand could have come at a cost. 

“Contempt of court was something that every attorney I asked about said, ‘you could be held in contempt of court,'” Chapman said.

Fortunately, Chapman walked out of the courthouse a free man. Having made a statement and been heard, perhaps just a bit more free than when he walked in.

 

Image: Screenshot via FCN