Finally, someone has found a way to make a state that refuses to recognize same-sex marriage listen in the only language some folks understand: The Almighty Dollar.
Elliott Mitchell and Clark West met at the University of Alabama (UA) while students there in 1972 and were legally married in Hawaii in 2013. They currently reside in Florida and have been together for 40 years. The two?had planned to leave their entire estate–valued at $15-18 million–to UA, but now say the state’s inflexible stance on same-sex marriage is making them reconsider the gift.
Both men say they fully believe that even if the United States Supreme Court rules in favor of same-sex unions later this year, the state of Alabama will seek to tie up that decision with endless court battles or other delays. Mitchell says:
“They are going to contend every single right that inherently comes with that decision of the Supreme Court. If they can find a sufficient reason to delay those benefits, they’re going to do it.”
Mitchell, like other people seeking marriage equality, adds that he and West don’t want special treatment, as some opponents claim, they just want the same rights heterosexual couples have had since the founding of the Republic:
“We never expect and never want people to change their religious views. Just give us a document that gives us the same rights as you have.”
Mitchell and West made their decision known to the University with a letter they wrote in 2013. In that letter, they noted:
?We understand the conflict of well-intended people struggling to find balance with this issue. But, we also realize there is no support in the legislature or initiatives at the University to create a dialogue. Instead, there is a very strong and continued effort by the state and the majority of its citizens to exclude this group in every way possible.?You are welcome to share our situation with anyone you believe will be helpful in encouraging Alabama to provide equality to all its citizens. You have done it before and you can do it again. We do not want anything from you, just a recognition that all decisions have consequences.?
In response, UA President Judy Bonner attempted to ignore the problem with a cookie-cutter statement in which she said:
?Elliott Mitchell and Clark West have been loyal members of the UA family for many years, and we very much appreciate their unprecedented generosity and support for their alma mater. During my term as president of The University of Alabama, I have enjoyed several opportunities to talk with them, especially about the progress we have made regarding issues that are important to them…Elliott and Clark will continue to be valued members of the UA family, and we look forward to many years of working with them to make a difference in the lives of our students.?
Translation: We welcome your money but not your thoughts on the subject of same-sex marriage.
Mitchell and West gave a $1 million gift to Bama a decade ago. But it would appear unlikely they will be showering such generosity on UA in the future.
