One Iowa Equality Group Responds to Lawsuit Against Business that Turned Away Gay Couple

A news release:

On Monday, October 7, a lawsuit was filed in Polk County Circuit Court by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty against the Iowa Civil Rights Commission.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Betty and Richard Odgaard, owners of the Gortz Haus in Grimes, Iowa. In August, the Odgaards refused to host a same-sex civil marriage at the Gortz Haus, citing their deeply held religious beliefs.

The same-sex couple filed a complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, claiming that the Odgaards' refusal violated their civil rights under Iowa code since the Gortz Haus is a public venue. The Iowa Civil Rights Act, specifically Iowa Code section 216.7(1), states that it is "unfair or discriminatory" to deny services of public accommodation based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

In an email to the Quad City Times yesterday, Becket Fund spokeswoman Emily Hardman said, "The only remedy they (the Odgaards) are seeking is not to be forced by the government to host a religious ceremony that would violate their own beliefs."

The following is a statement from One Iowa Executive Director Donna Red Wing:

"An individual should not be prohibited from enjoying basic freedoms because of someone else's religious beliefs. One Iowa absolutely respects the faith traditions and the deeply held convictions of Mr. and Mrs. Odgaard. However, the Gortz Haus is a public accommodation, not a religious institution. Because the Odgaards offer a service to the public--and that service includes the use of their facilities for civil marriages and receptions--they cannot and should not deny this service to someone based solely on sexual orientation or gender identity according to the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

"Ultimately, all citizens are best served by the provision of civil marriages that receive recognition, respect and equal treatment without regard to the gender or sexual orientation of the marital partners."