West-end Baptist church fires woman for being an unwed mother

by | Jan 13, 2015 | POLITICS

For those of you who decry the possibility of a faith-fueled take over here in the Commonwealth, consider the firing of an unwed mother from Staples Mill Road Baptist Church.


For those of you who decry the possibility of a faith-fueled take over here in the Commonwealth, consider the firing of an unwed mother from Staples Mill Road Baptist Church.

Yes, Apryl Kellam is pregnant and unmarried and her church just fired her. Because nothing says the “love of Christ” like firing an unwed expecting mother.

Kellam had worked at the church since September, and was told by her Pastor/boss she “needed to get married or set a date” if she wanted to keep her job. She never set a date because, ya know, it’s none of their goddamned business. And now she’s claiming this is what got her fired.

Yea, we’re pretty amazed and pissed too.

Pastor James Booth heads the West End house of worship, and he defended (yea, defended) his actions, telling CBS “They don’t know our heart. We’re not trying to be hurtful, we’re just following our personnel handbook, which is rooted in our statement of faith and our biblical beliefs.”

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner is the former editor of GayRVA and RVAMag from 2013 - 2017. He’s now the Richmond Bureau Chief for Radio IQ, a state-wide NPR outlet based in Roanoke. You can reach him at BradKutnerNPR@gmail.com




more in politics

Charlie Kirk and The Politics of Martyrdom

The murder of Charlie Kirk will have far-reaching consequences. They're already coming into focus. A universe of disinformation and conspiracy theories is one of them. Regardless of the truth, the damage is already done.  The Wall Street Journal carelessly...

Salon de Résistance | A Live Interview Series From RVA Mag

"The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth" - Albert Camus Dispatch NUmber One: Salon de Résistance | presented by RVA Mag, Black Iris, and Le Cachet Dulcet Not long ago, salons were a catalyst for intellectual expression. Spaces where creators,...

Richmond’s Zoning Code Refresh: Developers Know, Do You?

Most Richmonders haven’t heard about it, but the City of Richmond is rewriting the rules that will determine what can be built, and where, for decades to come. It’s called the Zoning Code Refresh, and right now, it’s quietly moving through the public comment stage. If...

Photos | Labor Day Rally Targets Corporate Greed and Inequality

Hundreds gathered in Monroe Park this afternoon for a Labor Day rally organized by 50501 Movement and 50501 Virginia, demanding “Workers Over Billionaires.” The event, which kicked off at 4:30 PM, brought together community members, activists, and labor advocates to...

Workers Over Billionaires: Richmond’s Labor Day Rally

This Labor Day, Richmond isn’t just taking a day off, it’s taking to the streets. On Monday, September 1 at 4:30 PM in Monroe Park, the 50501 Movement and Virginia 50501 will lead a Rally, Protest, and March under the theme: “Workers Over Billionaires.” The gathering...

When Art Meets Activism: Environment at Risk at Glen Allen

The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen is hosting Environment at Risk, a group show curated by Appalachian Voices’ Virginia field coordinator Jessica Sims. Installed in the Gumenick Family Gallery, the exhibition gathers paintings, prints, collage, sculpture,...