In 2011, two women denied the opportunity to host their wedding reception at a particular private hotel due to their sexual orientation brought suit against that hotel to obtain a court order that the hotel's no-gay-receptions policy violated state law (Vermont's State Housing and Public Accommodations Act) and to prohibit future discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. The couple was represented by the ACLU, and the Vermont Human Rights Commission intervened on their behalf after discovery of a pattern of this behavior with other couples. After Defendant's motion to dismiss was denied by State Judge Robert P. Gerety, the parties reached a settlement. As part of the settlement agreement, Wildflower Inn agreed that Vermont's public accommodations law prohibits unequal treatment of same-sex couples, which includes turning away same-sex couples seeking to have a wedding reception, failing to respond to inquiries from those couples, or discouraging those couples from using the facilities. The resort also agreed to pay $10,000 to the Vermont Human Rights Commission as a civil penalty and to place $20,000 in a charitable trust to be disbursed by the couple. The plaintiffs were not awarded any settlement amount personally; they had sought only nominal damages.

Carlos Torres - 05/18/2013


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