Owners of a Vermont inn, have denied they have a policy that
discriminates against gay and lesbian couple's because of their
religious beliefs.
During court proceedings this week, Jim and Mary O'Reilly said
they were never told about the lesbian couple, and that their
meeting and events director, Amalia Harris, didn't have the
authority to turn away same sex couples.
Kate Baker and Ming Linsley say the Wildflower Inn
initially expressed interest in hosting the $35,000 reception
last autumn, but backpedalled when it realised the event was a
lesbian wedding.
They claim at least two other same sex couples were turned
down by the hotel because of a 'no gay reception
policy'.
When the lawsuit was filed the couple released a statement
to the media that said: "We have never refused rooms or dining or
employment to gays or lesbians. Many of our guests have been
same-sex couples. We welcome and treat all people with respect and
dignity. We do not, however, feel that we can offer our personal
services wholeheartedly to celebrate the marriage between same-sex
couples because it goes against everything that we as Catholics
believe in."
Baker and Linsley are now planning their wedding at
another Vermont venue.
