Couple Calls Out Wedding Venue That Turned Them Away Because They're Gay

Published September 24, 2021

If you've ever asked somebody about their sexuality and the question seemed to make them nervous, there's often a pretty big reason behind that.

And while it can vary from person to person, that reason usually has to do with their concerns about what might happen after they answer you. Because while there are have been stories where their curiosity led to a touching request for parental advice, the unfortunate reality is that it's a little more likely to be a prelude to either abuse or discrimination.

One couple had this more common experience while trying to secure a venue for their upcoming wedding. And while the business responsible was legally within their rights to do what they did, that doesn't mean it happened without consequence.

After getting engaged on July 10, Mike Gill and Coty Heaton of Nashville, Tennessee spent months planning their wedding.

Facebook | Coty Heaton

Obviously, this involved finding a venue where the wedding was supposed to take place and by the time August had rolled around, they thought a place called Barn in the Bend would suit their needs well.

But while that may have been true of the venue, the same couldn't be said for its management.

Facebook | Coty Heaton

That became clear in a Facebook post Gill wrote on August 31 in which he advised his friends to setter clear of the place.

As he put it, "Got this lovely email today."

The relevant portion of the email in question began with, "Did you mention that your partner was a 'he?"

Facebook | Coty Heaton

Barn in the Bend's owner repeatedly apologized for any mix-up if this wasn't the case, but also made a point of stating that they don't offer same-sex marriages if it was.

As this email gained notoriety, a large number of commenters spoke out in support of the couple.

Twitter | @KyleMoshier

As we can see, some of these supporters elected to leave a flood of one-star reviews on the venue's listings.

This turned the exchange into a matter of some debate among commenters, as some argued that it wasn't bigoted for a business owner not to work with people whose values they don't share. For these people, Barn in the Bend didn't deserve the bad press they received.

Others argued, however, that a customer's values shouldn't enter into arrangements like these as long as there's a respected agreement as to how they use your venue.

One commenter who owned a business for 13 years put it as "money is money" before warning that turning away these customers could only cost them many more.

h/t: Bored Panda

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