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Owners of wedding venue believe law is on their side in turning away same-sex couple

A Fuquay-Varina wedding venue may be within its rights to refuse to host a gay wedding. So far, the courts haven't ruled otherwise.

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By
Sloane Heffernan
, WRAL reporter
FUQUAY-VARINA, N.C. — A Fuquay-Varina wedding venue may be within its rights to refuse to host a gay wedding. So far, the courts haven't ruled otherwise.

WRAL News raised legal questions after hearing from a couple who said they were turned away by Highgrove Estate.

McCae Henderson and Ike Edwards shared the Highgrove Estate statement on their social media.

In response, Highgrove Estate owner Vicky Ismail said, the venue has come in for some backlash. The venue has lost business and received threats.

"That is very hard to hear. My fiancé and I do not want violence to come of this at all," Henderson said.

Ismail defended her actions in a statement to WRAL News.

"Highgrove Estate desires all people's weddings to be the most joyful day in their lives. Highgrove also respects people's differences regarding marriage. For this reason, we will always be kind and caring when these differences arise. Although Highgrove knows it cannot deliver what is being requested as the company holds strong to it's (sic) beliefs as followers of Christ, we recommend other venues to assist you in making your wedding day all that you desire it to be as we respectfully want the best for you on your special day.

"We welcome employees, vendors and guests of all sexual orientation as we do not discriminate against a people group.

"Never our intention to offend as we have been respectful and kind when it came to our differences.

"We are within our rights."

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the North Carolina Attorney General's Office shared this statement:

"Our office has argued to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of couples in similar situations. Our argument is that sexual orientation discrimination in public accommodations is illegal under the Civil Rights Act. The Court hasn’t yet decided that issue. In other areas, including marriage, education and employment, the court has ruled that sexual orientation discrimination is illegal."

While the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the rights for two people of the same sex to marry, and discrimination based on sexual orientation is outlawed in areas like education and employment, it's unclear whether a private business like Highgrove Estate can choose not to serve certain clients.

“What’s going to help the cause is just spreading awareness that this is still legal in the state of North Carolina and many other states across the country," Henderson said.

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