Vt. inn, 2 women settle gay marriage lawsuit

Posted: 08/23/12 at 2:30 pm EDT      Last Updated: 08/23/12 at 3:17 pm EDT

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) -- Two New York women and a Vermont country inn have settled a lawsuit that accused the business of refusing to host the couple's wedding reception.

The American Civil Liberties Union says The Wildflower Inn in Lyndonville agreed to pay a $10,000 civil penalty to the Vermont Human Rights Commission and place $20,000 in a charitable trust.

Kate and Ming Linsley contacted the ACLU after Ming's mother was told last year by the Wildflower Inn's events manager that the inn didn't host "gay receptions" due to the innkeepers' "personal feelings."

The women say they will use the money for legal costs and donate the rest to charity.

As part of the settlement, the Wildflower Inn agreed to no longer host wedding receptions.

Have a story idea or news tip for 7NEWS?

Email: newstips@cw56.com, or call us at 1-800-280-TIPS.