A gay couple from central Iowa is complaining after they were turned away by the owners of the Gortz House of Grimes, IA, for their wedding. Lee Stafford and his fiance Jared had one wedding venue planned, but that business closed down. They then toured the Gortz House, which advertises itself as "the perfect venue for your wedding ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner, baby shower, anniversary or other special event." After the tour, one of the facilities owners asked the couple if this was being planned for a gay wedding. He then told them that he couldn't accept their money and that he wouldn't work for free. In other words, he wasn't going to work with them.
![]()
The owners of the Gortz House admit that they turned away the couple. They are Mennonites and believe that they have the right to turn away those who do not share their religious beliefs. It is unclear if they've ever turned away non-Mennonite, non-Christian, and/or non-religious heterosexual couples from their business before.
The couple has found another venue for their wedding, but they're still angry about getting turned away from the Gortz House and plan to file a complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, since Iowa law clearly prohibits discrimination in public accommodations.
Check out a news story from KCCI here:
I'm always torn about these cases. Anti-discrimination laws exist for a reason. It's ridiculous to create them if people are going to flagrantly ignore them and get away with it. Plus, we've seen cake-makers who refuse on religious grounds to accept money from gay couples who then turn around and accept money for Winter Solstice parties and dog weddings, so I'm increasingly suspicious of religious claims by business owners.
But then I wonder why people would want to work with businesses who don't want to work with them -- especially on one of the most important days in their lives. Weddings are expensive. Why invest time and money into a business that will likely do the bare minimum that they are required to do on your wedding day. They don't respect your wedding. Invest in the business that does, y'know?
Interestingly, Grimes' motto is "Your hometown. Your lifestyle."
The owners of the Gortz House admit that they turned away the couple. They are Mennonites and believe that they have the right to turn away those who do not share their religious beliefs. It is unclear if they've ever turned away non-Mennonite, non-Christian, and/or non-religious heterosexual couples from their business before.
The couple has found another venue for their wedding, but they're still angry about getting turned away from the Gortz House and plan to file a complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, since Iowa law clearly prohibits discrimination in public accommodations.
Check out a news story from KCCI here:
I'm always torn about these cases. Anti-discrimination laws exist for a reason. It's ridiculous to create them if people are going to flagrantly ignore them and get away with it. Plus, we've seen cake-makers who refuse on religious grounds to accept money from gay couples who then turn around and accept money for Winter Solstice parties and dog weddings, so I'm increasingly suspicious of religious claims by business owners.
But then I wonder why people would want to work with businesses who don't want to work with them -- especially on one of the most important days in their lives. Weddings are expensive. Why invest time and money into a business that will likely do the bare minimum that they are required to do on your wedding day. They don't respect your wedding. Invest in the business that does, y'know?
Interestingly, Grimes' motto is "Your hometown. Your lifestyle."