Restaurant 'cancelled' wedding rehearsal dinner after finding out couple are lesbians

‘We are all fighting for a world where we are seen as human’

Sabrina Barr
Friday 07 June 2019 14:45 BST
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Couple say restaurant cancelled rehearsal dinner after learning they are lesbians

An engaged couple claim that a restaurant cancelled their rehearsal dinner after finding out they are lesbians.

Earlier this week, Mindy Rackley shared a Facebook post detailing how she and her fiancée, Kendall Brown, had planned on holding their wedding rehearsal dinner at Madison's Cafe in O'Fallon, an Italian restaurant in Missouri.

According to Ms Rackley, on Tuesday 4 June, the wife of the restaurant's owner called Ms Brown to ask some questions regarding their reservation.

One of the questions the owner's wife asked was the name of Ms Brown's groom.

When Ms Brown explained that her fiancée was a woman called Mindy, the restaurant owner's wife said they would have to "defer" the couple to another establishment for their dinner because "they don't condone that kind of relationship".

Ms Rackley stated on Facebook that her partner called her in tears following the conversation with the restaurant.

"She told me that out of love' for me she has to decline our business because they believe I am in an unhealthy relationship. I immediately hung up," Ms Brown told Ms Rackley.

"We were just devastated not that our rehearsal dinner was cancelled, but for us to get denied service because of who we love!" Ms Rackley tells The Independent.

"Our hearts hurt that this still happens."

The couple chose to hold their rehearsal dinner at the restaurant as it was a particular favourite of Ms Rackley's late father, who passed away two years ago.

Ms Rackley added on Facebook that while she understands "everyone has a right to their opinion and beliefs", the way the situation was handled was "very unprofessional".

Ms Rackley explained that she chose to share their story on Facebook to "just spread the word" about the restaurant in question, so that nobody else "needs to feel the way" the couple do now.

She stated that nobody should be made to feel as though they are "less than human".

"So many people have fought for our rights to be equal, to be free so that we don't have to walk around and hide or be treated any different from any other human being in this world."

Ms Rackley added that Madison's Cafe's treatment of her and Ms Brown is "prejudiced and discriminating".

"This is not the world we are fighting for any more," she said. "We are all fighting for a world where we are seen as human."

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Several people have left messages of support under Ms Rackley's Facebook post.

"This is just awful. I can't believe the ignorance. Sending you both lots of light and love," one person wrote.

"Shame on them! I am never going there!" someone else stated.

Ms Rackley tells The Independent that she and Ms Brown are "overwhelmed with love and support".

The couple have had no further communication with the restaurant.

The Independent has contacted Madison's Cafe in O'Fallon for comment.

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