Idaho 'wedding chapel' files suit to block enforcement of ordinance requiring same-sex ceremonies
July 01, 2015
The city attorney of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, has told the proprietors of a “wedding chapel” that they could face prosecution if they refuse their services to same-sex couples.
Donald and Evelyn Knapp, who operate the Hitching Post Wedding Chapel, have filed lawsuit in federal court to block enforcement of a local non-discrimination ordinance that would require them to provide equal service for homosexuals.
The Knapps contend that enforcement of the ordinance would violate their religious freedom, forcing them to act contrary to their Christian beliefs. Local officials counter that the Hitching Post is registered as a for-profit corporation rather than a church, and is being treated as a public accommodation.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
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: stpetric -
Jul. 01, 2015 10:28 PM ET USA
Thinking out loud here. The fact that this is a business, rather than a parish, lends support to the "public accommodation" line. OTOH, if this couple are indeed Christian ministers of some kind, it's hard to see how they could be compelled to act contrary to their faith. Perhaps the solution is that they must make their for-profit facility available for use by same-sex couples, but that the couples would need to provide their own officiants.
