A Minnesota judge gave "family" a workout this week. Lesbian couple Amy and Sarah Monson sued the Rochester Athletic Club after the club refused to give them a family rate.
Rochester's lawyers insisted they didn't discriminate, because their definition of "family" hinges on marriage and the women aren't married. Gay people, of course, can't get married, so they basically used discrimination to back up their discrimination. Clever. And effective: the judge agreed.
Though he ruled against the women this week, the judge used his ruling to blast Rochester Athletic Club's "anachronistic" policy:
This morally and legally defensible yet unrealistically narrow definition of family fails to recognize the underlying stability and commitment of the Monsons' relationship. Other, arguably more enlightened organizations… have chosen not to reduce the definition of family in such an anachronistic fashion.
The ladies say they're pumped to appeal the decision.
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This story had play across the border . It is like reading about a third world neighbour nation – in this case a corporate fascist state with little or no minority rights.
It is courageous for American gay and lesbian families to live in almost complete bigotry and prejudice..especially those who live in Red States or red regions of Blue States.
It is especially for monogamous and committed couples and those singles who wish to be and for families that I blog here. I can imagine that these Minnesotans have crossed the border and experienced freedom for a few moments of time with their families.