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Kevin Chaffe, Facebook
Kevin Chaffe, Facebook
UK News

Christian wedding venue owner apologises for cancelling gay couple's booking

by Heather Preston

The owner of a wedding venue in Gloucestershire has said he is 'deeply sorry' after revoking a provisional booking for a same-sex couple's marriage reception.

Kevin Chaffe and Ken Silvey had expressed an interest to book Priors Court Barn in Brockworth for the evening of 28th March, but co-owner of the venue Tim Wiltshire contacted their wedding planner to cancel after finding out the enquiry had been made by a same-sex couple. 

Chaffe took to Facebook to express his outrage at the "disgusting" and "homophobic" actions of Wiltshire, saying: "So our wedding reception venue cancelled on us today because were gay!

"He had multiple correspondence with both our names in it .....

"I think this is just disgusting that in a modern world where u can, by law, express the love for your partner irrelevant of the gender, we could get married in a church by law!!

"It has been a devastating blow to myself and Ken but with that being said our truly amazing friend and outstanding wedding planner Kerry Jones had us another venue within the hour, I can't thank Kerry enough for the support she has provided us today even when faced with such horrific news. Kerry you're amazing and a truly wonderful human being.

"I've posted a picture of the venue that doesn't agree with same sex marriage so by all means share this post far and wide, there's not room in this world for this type of blatant discrimination And homophobia.

"Love is love."

The post has been shared over 1,000 times.

Wiltshire initially claimed that the cancellation was due to a "misunderstanding".

Following a backlash on social media which lead to a barrage of negative reviews for the business, Wiltshire has released a statement of apology.

According to Gloucester Live, he said: "Following recent events I would like to clarify that we had a reservation for an evening wedding celebration following their wedding elsewhere.

"This was at short notice for the end of March this year made through an intermediary. There was no formal booking with our venue.

"I am deeply sorry for the upset that I have caused to the couple and all affected.

"Of course everyone has the right to their own beliefs and I now realise that my initial reaction was inappropriate in modern society and for which I am truly sorry.

"I would like to reassure everyone that the venue welcomes all couples.

"Out of respect for the couple's wishes (and their intermediary) I wish to keep this private."

According to wedding planner Kerry Jones of Cotsworld Chic Ltd, Wiltshire allegedly told her that due to his Christian beliefs, he didn't agree with same-sex marriage and that this was "going to be a problem" when it came to the reservation.

Cotsworld Chic Ltd took to Facebook to thank people for their support and to clarify that their coverage of the incident was not intended to be a "hate campaign" towards the wedding venue.

It reads: "Everyone is entitled to their beliefs regardless if we agree with them or not and our grievance was the fact that these beliefs lead them to be treated unfairly in this instance.

"We are now going to be dealing with this situation privately in order to resolve the matter amicably, however we shall continue to campaign against discrimination as a whole and not just against one company/individual."


 

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