Gay couple files complaints over bed-and-breakfasts

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=34535

A gay couple has filed complaints with the Illinois Human Rights Commission against two downstate bed-and-breakfast inns that allegedly refused to host their civil-union ceremony.
Todd and Mark Wathen of Mattoon, Ill., allege that both the Timber Creek Bed and Breakfast and Beall Mansion Bed and Breakfast discriminated against them by refusing to host their legally recognized ceremony.

The Wathen's attorneys—Betty Tsamis of Chicago, and John Knight and Harvey Grossman of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois—announced the filing Nov. 2 in a news release.

In August, the Department of Human Rights announced it had found "substantial evidence" supporting their claims and gave the couple three months to file complaints.

According to the complaints, filed individually on behalf of both Mark and Todd, the Wathens inquired with the inns in February, in anticipation of having a ceremony when civil unions went into effect in June. Both of the inns turned them away, they said.

[LonePirate]

1. Is there some sort of economic boom in IL which allows people to refuse big ticket paying customers?

I can't imagine these B&Bs are booked solid so refusing customers seems like a bad business decision. I suppose economic Darwinism will rid the planet of these bigots if nothing else will.