Mass. AG backing gay couple in lawsuit against Catholic Church

[William769]

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley filed a court brief Thursday in support of a married, same-sex couple who sued the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester for allegedly refusing to sell them a Northbridge mansion because church officials were concerned they would host gay weddings at the site.

James Fairbanks and Alain Beret filed their lawsuit in Worcester Superior Court in 2012. They allege that in the middle of negotiations to buy Oakhurst, a former retreat center affiliated with the diocese, church officials suddenly pulled out.

They say they inadvertently received an email from the chancellor of the diocese to the church’s broker saying the reason was the “potentiality of gay marriages” at the facility.

“Our laws provide important protections for religious organizations and people of faith,” Coakley said in a written statement Thursday. “These laws also strike a balance between religious freedoms and the rights of individuals to be free from discrimination.”

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2014/03/mass-ag-backing-gay-couple-in-lawsuit-against-catholic-church/

[William769]

1. Kick.

[RainDog]

2. Hope they win and bring attention

to the bigotry of the Catholic church.

Everyone who has eyes can see it. Make them feel it in their pocketbook.

[Demeter]

3. Really stupid move, even for priests in Worcester

I know they are 50-100 years behind the times in Worcester, but surely they can read?

[babylonsister]

4. Good for AG Coakley!

“These laws also strike a balance between religious freedoms and the rights of individuals to be free from discrimination.”

Perfect!

[sheshe2]

5. I am rooting for James and Alain

Coakley said in a written statement Thursday. “These laws also strike a balance between religious freedoms and the rights of individuals to be free from discrimination.”

They need to stop hiding behind their "religion", drop the mask and tell us what it really is. It's homophobic and unadulterated bigotry and hate. Stop the discrimination.

I hope to see Martha as our next Governor of Mass.

[SidDithers]

6. DU rec...

Sid

[Bluenorthwest]

7. What can you even say? Another tale of bigotry.

nt

[eggplant]

8. Kick for "church officials suddenly pulling out."

[Cha]

9. Good on Martha Coakley!

" The diocese has said it stopped negotiations over concerns about whether the buyers could finance the purchase and that email refers only to the possibility of gay weddings being held at the site, not the couple’s sexual orientation, which they said never came up during negotiations.

The diocese also has argued that the state’s anti-discrimination laws do not apply to its conduct in this case, citing legal exemptions and constitutional protections."

Uh huh. The diocese would lie would they?

Mahalo William~