BY MICHAEL HILL, ASSOCIATED PRESS
The complaint with the state Division of Human Rights appears to be a first involving a wedding venue since same-sex marriage became legal in New York in July 2011, according to advocates on both sides of the issue. One prominent gay marriage opponent said the case could test the breadth of the law's religious freedom language.
Melisa Erwin and Jennie McCarthy, of Albany, filed the complaint Oct. 11 after the nearby Liberty Ridge Farm said it would not host their wedding next summer. McCarthy said when the owners, Robert and Cynthia Gifford, found out they were a same-sex couple, the women were told there was a problem.
The couple is no longer considering the farm as a wedding venue, but McCarthy said, "We just want to know that the policy is being changed to fit the laws so this doesn't happen to anyone else."
The Giffords have objections to gay marriage based on their values and religious background, their spokesman said Monday.
It's not fair, but would I want to hold my wedding and wedding breakfast at a location that is homophobic? Hell no! I would be afraid to eat or drink anything!
There are plenty of locations that embrace marriage equality, and I think somebody should start a wedding planner website promoting civil rights for all, allowing the couple to make a choice for their special day, and bring the financial benefits to those that do support it.
Weddings are $$$ and Upstate NY has loads of locations to make their day special.
Posted by: Gary Gans | October 24, 2012 at 09:32 AM
Can't they just be a mutual partners?
Posted by: James | October 25, 2012 at 09:53 PM