“Iconic” Pennsylvania Venue Bans Same-Sex Weddings

Penn Live reports:

Few central Pennsylvania destinations are as iconic as the Star Barn. The historic structure – part of Stone Gables Estate – sits on a sprawling 275-acre scenic tract in Elizabethtown, surrounded by farmland, an orchard and vineyard. It has become a premier wedding destination.

Now, just in time for wedding season, the landmark venue is at the center of a newly minted debate over religious freedom and the anti-discrimination laws that protect the LGBTQ community.

Stone Gables, which runs both the Star Barn and Ironstone Ranch, has a policy barring reservations to same-gender weddings. Owner David Abel says they go against his religious convictions, which hold that marriage is between a man and a woman.

GAY WEDDING BAN: The owners of a popular Pennsylvania wedding venue known as the “Star Barn” are banning gay weddings because they are against their religious beliefs. . https://t.co/wjZdss0SYy

— KDKA (@KDKA) April 4, 2019

Our Pride Chair, Jessi Purdy, was interviewed by Fox 43 about the Star Barn Venue’s policy of excluding same sex couples from using the venue for their weddings. We… https://t.co/LtUptrS7vO

— Lancaster PA Pride (@LancPride) April 5, 2019