Gay couple refuses to leave millions to University of Alabama
“We’ve spent most of our lives together being quiet, because of business or not wanting to rock the boat.”
— Clark West, who, along with husband Elliott Mitchell, have reaffirmed they will not leave millions of dollars to the University of Alabama due to the state’s war on same-sex marriage.
According to AL.com, the couple gave $1 million to the University of Alabama a decade ago but dropped plans to leave their estate to the university two years ago due to Alabama’s hostility toward same-sex couples. The state’s decision to thwart a federal court ruling striking down the state’s same-sex marriage ban has reinforced their decision. Their estate is worth $15 million to $18 million.
The couple, who met at UA in 1972 and were married in Hawaii in 2013, now live in Florida. They say they may never spend another night in the state after the chaotic legal fight over same-sex marriage.
Image: Steve Driskell/flickr
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
You must be logged in to post a comment.