[Published: Monday January 20 2020]
Lesbian couple denied use of wedding venue
PRETORIA 20 Jan (ANA) - A religious lobby group in South Africa has backed owners of a popular wedding venue after they refused to host the marriage celebration of a same-sex couple.
Michael Swain from Freedom of Religion South Africa, who represents Beloftebos Wedding Venue in the West Cape province, argued the owners had a religious right to turn away the couple.
Megan Watling and Sasha-Lee Heekes said their rights had been violated and that they felt disappointed and heartbroken by the decision.
“Sexual orientation isn’t a choice, my only choice is living authentically and loving my soulmate,” Ms Heekes is quoted as saying by EWN news site.
The couple had inquired about holding a celebration in April at the venue but got a response last week referring them to Beloftebos' website, which outlines the owners' beliefs on same-sex relationships, EWN reports.
The owners faced a backlash in 2017 for refusing to host a same-sex wedding for an American couple.(ANA)
FA/ANA/20 January 2020--------
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