Barry Giles and John Gambill have been together for 31 years, so when Mr Giles’ mother died it was obvious his husband should be listed in her obituary.

But a local newspaper omitted all reference to the Dallas funeral director because its publisher insisted the Bible said two men could not get married.

Mr Gambill described his mother-in-law Brenda Light as his ‘second mom’ and was horrified at being effectively erased from her life.

Barry Giles (right) and his husband John Gambill (left) with Mr Giles' mother Brenda Light on one of their many family holidays before she died last month aged 77

Barry Giles (right) and his husband John Gambill (left) with Mr Giles’ mother Brenda Light on one of their many family holidays before she died last month aged 77

Mr Giles wrote an obituary to local papers after his mother's death that mentioned his husband Mr Gambill

Mr Giles wrote an obituary to local papers after his mother's death that mentioned his husband Mr Gambill

Mr Giles wrote an obituary to local papers after his mother’s death that mentioned his husband Mr Gambill

The couple often went on holiday with Ms Light and cared for her in her final years until she died from a fall last month aged 77.

‘Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Barry Giles and his husband, John Gambill of Dallas,’ the obituary sent to local newspapers read.

The tribute was published in full everywhere but the Olton Enterprise, the paper in his husband’s hometown of 2,000 people, about six hours west of Dallas.

Mr Gambill called the paper and spoke with the publisher Phillip Hamilton, who also works as a baptist pastor, who told him he deliberately cut his name out.

The publisher confirmed he edited the line to remove reference to Mr Giles having a husband for ‘ethical and religious reasons’.

‘It is my religious conviction that a male cannot have a husband. It is also my belief that to publish anything contrary to God’s Word on this issue would be to publish something in the newspaper that is not true,’ he told Fox10.

The obituary on Ms Light published in the Olton Enterprise after her death last month

The obituary on Ms Light published in the Olton Enterprise after her death last month

The obituary on Ms Light published in the Olton Enterprise after her death last month

It was suppoed to read: 'Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Barry Giles and his husband, John Gambill of Dallas' but Mr Gambill was cut out

It was suppoed to read: 'Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Barry Giles and his husband, John Gambill of Dallas' but Mr Gambill was cut out

It was suppoed to read: ‘Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Barry Giles and his husband, John Gambill of Dallas’ but Mr Gambill was cut out

But one of them, the Olton Enterprise, removed Mr Gambill's name because of the religious convictions of its publisher

But one of them, the Olton Enterprise, removed Mr Gambill's name because of the religious convictions of its publisher

But one of them, the Olton Enterprise, removed Mr Gambill’s name because of the religious convictions of its publisher

Mr Hamilton said though the Enterprise respected the first amendment rights of gay couples, editing the obituary was ‘both ethical and lawful’. 

‘It would be unethical to publish a news item that is known by the editor to be false. Based on the truth found in the Word of God, I could not in good conscience identify Mr Gamabill as the husband of Mr Giles,’ he said.

Mr Giles was shocked and said he was pursuing legal options, but experts believed the paper did not break any laws.

‘We’re human beings like anyone else. We have feelings. We have relationships, whether he agrees with them or not,’ he said.



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