Post by Admin on Aug 29, 2014 13:44:37 GMT
A husband and wife who were fined $13,000 and mandated by a judge not to discriminate against same-sex couples after refusing to allow a gay wedding on their New York farm in 2012 have announced that they will “no longer host any wedding ceremonies on their property.”
“Going forward, [Cynthia and Robert Gifford] have decided to no longer host any wedding ceremonies on their property (other than the ones already under contract),” Alliance Defending Freedom allied attorney James Trainor told TheBlaze in a statement.
He continued, “Since the order essentially compelled them to do all ceremonies or none at all, they have chosen the latter in order to stay true to their religious convictions, even though it will likely hurt their business in the short run.”
FULL STORY HERE!
The family will continue hosting wedding receptions, though ceremonies, which have traditionally been hosted inside the Giffords’ home on the property or at another nearby location, will immediately cease; same-sex receptions will be allowed on the grounds.
The dramatic move comes after Jennifer McCarthy and Melisa Erwin, a lesbian couple, approached Cynthia and Robert Gifford, owners of Liberty Ridge Farm, a family-friendly farm and special events venue in Schaghticoke, New York, in 2012 and inquired about holding their nuptials there.
The Giffords, who are Christians and believe that marriage is restricted to one man and one woman, said that the couple were welcome to hold their reception on the property, but not the actual ceremony.
McCarthy and Erwin weren’t happy with this rejection, so they took their complaint to the New York’s Division of Human Rights, claiming that they were discriminated against as a result of their sexual orientation.
“Going forward, [Cynthia and Robert Gifford] have decided to no longer host any wedding ceremonies on their property (other than the ones already under contract),” Alliance Defending Freedom allied attorney James Trainor told TheBlaze in a statement.
He continued, “Since the order essentially compelled them to do all ceremonies or none at all, they have chosen the latter in order to stay true to their religious convictions, even though it will likely hurt their business in the short run.”
FULL STORY HERE!
The family will continue hosting wedding receptions, though ceremonies, which have traditionally been hosted inside the Giffords’ home on the property or at another nearby location, will immediately cease; same-sex receptions will be allowed on the grounds.
The dramatic move comes after Jennifer McCarthy and Melisa Erwin, a lesbian couple, approached Cynthia and Robert Gifford, owners of Liberty Ridge Farm, a family-friendly farm and special events venue in Schaghticoke, New York, in 2012 and inquired about holding their nuptials there.
The Giffords, who are Christians and believe that marriage is restricted to one man and one woman, said that the couple were welcome to hold their reception on the property, but not the actual ceremony.
McCarthy and Erwin weren’t happy with this rejection, so they took their complaint to the New York’s Division of Human Rights, claiming that they were discriminated against as a result of their sexual orientation.
