Gay Iraq Vets Turned Away From Tenn. Wedding Venue

Anthony Wilfert and Brian Blas thought they'd found the perfect place to hold their commitment ceremony, until they received an email claiming Tennessee's prohibition on same-sex marriage made the couple ineligible for booking.

A Tennessee wedding venue is under fire after it backtracked on its willingness to host a commitment ceremony for a pair of gay veterans.

Anthony Wilfert and his partner, Brian Blas, of Nolensville, Tenn., thought they had found the perfect venue in Mint Springs Farm in Nashville. After a pair of employees took the couple on a tour of the property over the weekend, the Iraq war veterans said they were eager to formally book a date to celebrate their nine years together, hoping to invite family and friends to the picturesque venue. The couple say they were quite clear with the employees during the tour, explaining that the event was for the same-sex couple, and were assured that they would be welcome.

But just two days later, the venue's owner sent Wilfert an email explaining that the couple could not hold their ceremony at Mint Springs Farm, since the venue only hosts formal, legally recognized weddings.

"Unfortunately, until same-sex marriage is legal in the state of Tennesese, we cannot participate in this ceremony at our venue," read that email, viewed by Nashville's WSMV TV. "I wish we could help, I truly do, but our hands are tied in this situation."

http://www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2014/04/28/gay-iraq-vets-turned-away-tenn-wedding-venue