Tenn. wedding venue changes policy, will now host same-sex ceremonies

NOLENSVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee wedding venue that told two Iraq war veterans they could not host their commitment ceremony because same-sex marriage is illegal, has changed its policy and will now open its facilities to same-sex couples.

Mint Springs Farm in Nolensville, Tenn., rose to national attention when it told Anthony Wilfert and Brian Blas that state law prohibiting same-sex marriage prevented them from hosting commitment ceremonious for same-sex couples. “Our hands are tied in this situation,” the owner told the couple in an email.

The couple called the owner’s response “a horrible excuse” for not wanting to hold a same-sex ceremony, and said citing a state law was both erroneous and “baffling.”

Now, after consulting with the Tennessee Equality Project, a statewide advocacy organization, Mint Springs Farm announced Tuesday it was changing its policy and will welcome same-sex couples for both weddings and commitment ceremonies.

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“As owners of Mint Springs farm we have had time to regroup and reflect. We have reached out to the community and started a dialogue with Tennessee Equality Project. The Executive Director, Chris Sanders was able to meet with us. In order to move forward we have decided to change our policy,” Mint Springs said, in a statement released through the Tennessee Equality Project.

“We will offer commitment ceremonies for any future couples that have a legal license from other states or countries. We also want to broaden this offer to include couples who simply want a commitment ceremony with no intention of obtaining legal marriage license. This will be our policy moving forward, it will remain true to all future prospective clients,” the venue announced.