Gay Arkansas Couple Denied Engagement Announcement

An Arkansas newspaper has refused to run an engagement announcement for a local gay couple.

The paper, the Northwest Arkansas Times, said its refusal to allow Cody Renegar and his partner, Thomas, to place the announcement stems from a longstanding policy to only recognize marriages that are legal in the state, according to a report by local NBC affiliate KNWA. Arkansas does not recognize same-sex marriages or domestic partnerships.

"You want to be recognized as a taxpayer, as a human being, as a person in love ... it's not that complicated for them to print a picture of people in love,” Renegar said.

The Human Rights Campaign released a Monday statement regarding the discriminatory policy, asking the newspaper to allow all couples to run announcements.

“We see archaic policies like this in newspapers across the country, and it’s a reminder of how discrimination against LGBT people can truly impact every aspect of our lives,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese.

Watch a video report here.