ACLU sues Vermont Catholic innkeepers who refused lesbian wedding reception
July 20, 2011
The Vermont chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has sued a Vermont inn whose owners declined to host a lesbian wedding reception. The Associated Press describes Jim and Mary O’Reilly, who own the Wildflower Inn in Lyndonville, as “devout Catholics.”
“We have never refused rooms or dining or employment to gays or lesbians,” the O’Reillys said in a statement. “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.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Lesbian Couple: Vt. Resort Barred Reception (AP)
- Couple Sues a Vermont Inn for Rejecting Gay Wedding (New York Times)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: hartwood01 -
Jul. 21, 2011 12:01 PM ET USA
Oh, there will be no pink persecution. Amoral behavior is touted as freedom today.
-
Posted by: -
Jul. 20, 2011 4:19 PM ET USA
If 2 men or 2 women want to rent one room, there's no reason to assume they are gay; they could be friends or relatives trying to save money. Catholic charity demands we assume the best unless there is evidence we should think the worst. But hosting a marriage is a whole different ball game, and yeah, so much for "how does gay marriage hurt straights?!?!"
-
Posted by: wojo425627 -
Jul. 20, 2011 3:05 PM ET USA
Yeah i noticed that two. They accept gay and lesbian couples as guests but won't host a wedding? Odd Catholicism.
-
Posted by: Miss Cathy -
Jul. 20, 2011 11:29 AM ET USA
Is it just me, but doesn't it seem they "wholeheartedly" accepted homosexual activity under their roof in the first place and appear to brag about it? How do "devout Catholics" accept renting rooms to same-sex couples?
-
Posted by: momtomany128421 -
Jul. 20, 2011 10:36 AM ET USA
And they say that "gay marriage" won't negatively affect anyone else.
-
Posted by: samuel.doucette1787 -
Jul. 20, 2011 9:46 AM ET USA
Let the pink persecution begin.
