Gov to Farmers: Host Same-Sex Wedding or Pay a $13,000 Fine

[umair127]

State Division of Human Rights....only in NY.  Couple has every right to say 'no' in accordance with their beliefs.

Government to Farmers: Host Same-Sex Wedding or Pay a $13,000 Fine

Should the government be able to coerce a family farm into hosting a same-sex wedding?

In a free society, the answer is no. Family farms should be free to operate in accordance with the beliefs and values of their owners. Government shouldn’t be able to fine citizens for acting in the market according to their own—rather than the government’s—values, unless there is a compelling government interest being pursued in the least restrictive way possible.

But the New York State Division of Human Rights doesn’t see things this way. On August 8, it fined Cynthia and Robert Gifford $13,000 for acting on their belief that marriage is the union of a man and woman and thus declining to rent out their family farm for a same-sex wedding celebration. The Human Rights Commission ruled that “the nature and circumstances of the [Giffords’s] violation of the Human Rights Law also warrants a penalty.”
  http://dailysignal.com/2014/08/19/government-farmers-host-sex-wedding-pay-13000-fine/

[Lethn]

To be honest, I'm not sure how I feel about governments interfering with these situations, I'd certainly boycott any business or company dickish enough to discriminate against people like that regardless but when it comes to government I'm not sure forcing them to do anything is really going to achieve much, since they're still going to be assholes, I'm also not convinced about whether it's a good idea as a government to support people who are actively discriminating against people either.

[Wilikon]

State Division of Human Rights....only in NY.  Couple has every right to say 'no' in accordance with their beliefs.

Government to Farmers: Host Same-Sex Wedding or Pay a $13,000 Fine

Should the government be able to coerce a family farm into hosting a same-sex wedding?

In a free society, the answer is no. Family farms should be free to operate in accordance with the beliefs and values of their owners. Government shouldn’t be able to fine citizens for acting in the market according to their own—rather than the government’s—values, unless there is a compelling government interest being pursued in the least restrictive way possible.

But the New York State Division of Human Rights doesn’t see things this way. On August 8, it fined Cynthia and Robert Gifford $13,000 for acting on their belief that marriage is the union of a man and woman and thus declining to rent out their family farm for a same-sex wedding celebration. The Human Rights Commission ruled that “the nature and circumstances of the [Giffords’s] violation of the Human Rights Law also warrants a penalty.”
  http://dailysignal.com/2014/08/19/government-farmers-host-sex-wedding-pay-13000-fine/

The pink mafia does not care about gay marriage. It only cares about scaring people into submission.

[Snail2]

Blast, those gay activists expropriated "pink maffia" as well? I liked better when it meant wife/girlfriend...

[sana8410]

I suppose because they rent to others, they have to be equal in their treatment.  I guess they are a company rather than individuals who own a farm.  I guess that's why the gov believe they can pass down laws.  I hope with the next election these kinds of things will revert themselves.

[Snail2]

"When Jennifer McCarthy and Melisa Erwin asked the Giffords to use the facility for a 2012 wedding, Mrs. Gifford, a Christian, said she could only host their reception on the farm, but not the wedding. Weddings typically are conducted on the first floor of the Giffords’ home, and Mrs. Gifford argued the lesbian wedding would “literally hit too close to home...”"

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/19/ny-farm-owners-fined-13000-refusing-host-lesbian-w/

So I think this stuff abusing religious freedom and property rights as well.

[pedrog]

Many governments also interfered with the belief that black people and jews are subhumans and should be segregated.

[RodeoX]

She is welcome to host only straight weddings. The issue is that she wants to have a business that won't serve gay people. How bout a an ice cream stand that is for whites only, or a hospital with a sign that says "no Muslims". 

[Wilikon]

Many governments also interfered with the belief that black people and jews are subhumans and should be segregated.

Yeah! "Gay" is a race now! 

[pedrog]

She is welcome to host only straight weddings. The issue is that she wants to have a business that won't serve gay people. How bout a an ice cream stand that is for whites only, or a hospital with a sign that says "no Muslims". 

No left-handed people allowed!!

[pedrog]

Yeah! "Gay" is a race now! 

You do realize the discrimination and persecution of jews and african people was based on christian beliefs and doctrine, right?

[Wilikon]

Yeah! "Gay" is a race now! 

You do realize the discrimination and persecution of jews and african people was based on christian beliefs and doctrine, right?

Of course. and "gay" is a race now. Both can be accurate in 2014... 

[pedrog]

Yeah! "Gay" is a race now!  

You do realize the discrimination and persecution of jews and african people was based on christian beliefs and doctrine, right?

Of course. and "gay" is a race now. Both can be accurate in 2014...  

It's something you have no choice in, just like the genes you have, the place you're born or religious indoctrination...

BTW, Judaism also not a "race", whatever "race" might be...

[Wilikon]

Yeah! "Gay" is a race now!  

You do realize the discrimination and persecution of jews and african people was based on christian beliefs and doctrine, right?

Of course. and "gay" is a race now. Both can be accurate in 2014...  

It's something you have no choice in, just like the genes you have, the place you're born or religious indoctrination...

BTW, Judaism also not a "race", whatever "race" might be...

I never said or believed Judaism was a race. Ask Madonna or other who believed in the faith. It is easier to deny being gay or being a Jew than deny being black or asian however. I don't believe in race for humans the same way you can understand the race of dogs, pigs, cats, horses, snakes, etc...

Was the gay gene ever detected? Maybe it was and I missed that news...

[Gimpeline]

They have found a candidate to a "gay" gene. On the other hand they have never found any candidate for a Judaism gene, so I'm not sure why you bring that up.

[Abdussamad]

She is welcome to host only straight weddings. The issue is that she wants to have a business that won't serve gay people. How bout a an ice cream stand that is for whites only, or a hospital with a sign that says "no Muslims". 

A hospital that says 'no muslims' or 'no blacks' is better than one that welcomes people in but then drugs them with contraceptives without their knowledge:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/28/ethiopian-women-given-contraceptives-israel

[TheButterZone]

If you don't want to make money, then that's punishment enough.

[jcoin200]

If you don't want to make money, then that's punishment enough.

Not in 0bama and Eric hold3rs vision of america. You do as the gvt dictates.

[Mike Christ]

Seems okay to me; if you play the game of coercion, it's only fair you should lose at some point.

[countryfree]

This isn't about discrimination, it's about the right to choose the people you do business with. I'm on the seaside right now, and I see many shops with signs indicating they don't serve customers without a shirt or shoes. It's also forbidden to sell alcohol to minors, but nobody sees this as discrimination.