Posted on 11/10/2014 3:23:31 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Cynthia and Robert Gifford, the Christian couple who refused to hold a same-sex wedding on their property, have been ordered to pay a $13,000 fine $10,000 to the state of New York and $1,500 to each member of the lesbian couple to compensate their mental anguish.
The Giffords opened up their Liberty Ridge Farm in upstate New York to the public 15 years ago. They host weddings, receptions, parties, and corporate events, and put on an annual fall festival.
In 2012, Cynthia received a call from a woman, Melisa Erwin, who was looking for a venue for her wedding to then-fiancee, Jennifer McCarthy. Cynthia explained to Erwin that they would not host a same-sex wedding on their property because it violated their religious beliefs, but that they would be happy to host the reception. Erwin refused.
Unbeknownst to Cynthia, McCarthy recorded the conversation. She and Erwin filed a formal complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights.
The Giffords argued that their farm is their home, not a place of public accommodation, and should therefore not be subject to the anti-discrimination provisions of New Yorks Human Rights Law. However, Administrative Law Judge Migdalia Pares of the Bronx rejected their argument, saying that, since they regularly collect fees for the space, facilities, services, and meals, Liberty Ridge cannot be considered distinctly private.
The Giffords insist they do not discriminate against people they have employed gay and transexual people and have hosted events for same-sex couples. Their objection was to hosting the wedding ceremony itself, because it would violate their sincerely held belief that God intended marriage to be between one man and one woman only.
(Excerpt) Read more at westernjournalism.com ...
RE: There is no such thing as a lesbian wedding.
The title should have labeled it thusly : ‘lesbian wedding’.
Grrrr!!!!
Same-sex wedding
RE: Grrrr!!!!
Here’s something to get mad about.... (my prediction)
I predict that the next front in the battle to accept gay or lesbian or any form of marriage other than traditional one will be against the devout CHRISTIAN chaplains of the military ( forget the liberal ones, they already will perform the ceremony, its the devout ones who must be made to conform ).
I believe Chaplains are given military RANKS and receive a salary. Therefore, it will be but logical in the eyes of the gay lobby to target this group.
If a devout chaplain refuses to perform a gay wedding, he will be stripped of his rank and dishonorably discharged.
Once this front is defeated, the next front will then be the Christian churches.
How you ask? STRIP THEM OF THEIR TAX EXEMPTION STATUS!
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