ACLU: N. Idaho chapel now a religious organization

Boise, Idaho (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho says it will not challenge a northern Idaho wedding chapel's refusal to conduct gay marriages because the chapel is no longer a public business.

Interim Executive Director Leo Morales says the Hitching Post became a nonprofit religious organization in Idaho nearly a month ago.

Morales in a news conference Thursday says that means the chapel no longer has to comply with the city of Coeur d'Alene's ordinance banning discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

A Christian religious rights legal organization filed a federal lawsuit last week against the city contending the chapel could be compelled to perform gay marriages under the city's anti-discrimination ordinance.

Gay marriage became legal in Idaho on Oct. 15.

by Kimberlee Kruesi, Associated Press

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The Gayly – October 23, 2014 @ 4:45pm