NOM BLOG

Gay Couple Files Human Rights Complaint Against New York Christian Farm Owners

 

A writer for the Albany Times Union relates what is happening to a couple who own a farm in upstate New York:

I was listening to FLY this morning and heard Brian and Chrissy talking about a listener who wanted to get married out at Liberty Ridge Farm in Rensselaer County. The venue has taken a pass on marrying the couple.

Why?

Because they’re gay. Or, at least, that is one of the reasons, according to the FMR.

I called Cynthia Gifford, who owns the farm with her husband, to ask her about the claim.

“I just felt uncomfortable. Maybe I made a mistake in my initial response to them,” she said when I reached her on her cell phone (I’ve done stories out there with them in the past). “I am willing to have a meeting. It is kind of against my religious views, but if they have an interest, they are more than welcome to come out and look at the property.”

She went on to say “When you are on a phone conversation, and you are taken back … I made a mistake.”

The couple has filed a human rights complaint and, once she addresses that, she said she’ll be happy to discuss this with me further.

I am guessing — and this is just an assumption — that the formal complaint may have had something to do with her backing off a bit. And, well, I can’t say I blame her. If the state was after me, I’d probably ease off, too."

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