Scottish gay couple claim they were turned away from wedding venue over sexuality

A gay couple from Scotland have alleged they were turned away from a wedding venue after being told by the owner “we can’t allow people like you here”.

Stephen and John Devaney, who have been in a civil partnership since 2006, claim they were ushered out of the 5-star Loch Lomond Waterfront venue on Saturday (February 21) by owner Suzanne Cottom – however, Cottom has vehemently denied the claims.

John says that when he told Cottom that same-sex marriage was a legal right in Scotland, she replied “I’m the owner. I can do as I like. A marriage should be between a man and a woman.”

“I’m still in shock,” John, 49, told the Daily Record. “I couldn’t believe someone could be so intolerant in this day and age.

“I want people to know how we were treated. I wouldn’t want any other couple to go there filled with hope and excitement and be cast out.

“We’ve fought for many years for equal rights. That woman stripped me of them in an instant.

“It’s not OK to treat people like this. We’re a loving and faithful couple and we want to celebrate that – like everyone else.”

His partner of 17 years, Stephen, 38, added: “This discrimination is disgusting. We were both upset – it was the most horrible feeling.”

John says that despite inititally being friendly, once Ms Cottom found out the couple wanted to convert their civil partnership, “she couldn’t hide her disgust”.

He said: “She told me, ‘We can’t allow people like you in here’, and said gay marriage was against her beliefs.

“I told her she was entitled to her beliefs but gay marriage was now legal. She just said she was the owner so she could say and do as she liked.”

“She then told us marriage should be between one man and one woman only – not two men like us, or two women.

“The woman just ushered us out, as her wedding planner stood there utterly embarrassed and in disbelief.”

The couple say they are considering taking legal action against the venue, which is in breach of Scottish anti-discrimination laws.

Following initial reporting of the incident, the Loch Lomond Waterfront issued a press statement on their website:

“We would like to put the record straight about false allegations made about us in the media today.

“Suzanne Cottam did not say the words attributed to her, nor would she do so because of her Christian faith and her belief in the dignity of all people.

“Due to the hysterical nature of the reporting, we have been inundated with foul, abusive and sometimes threatening messages. We urge the press to exercise caution in repeating the false claims being made about us.

“Suzanne has an independent witness who was present throughout the conversation and can back up her version of events.

“As a result of the serious defamatory comments which have been made and published we are taking legal advice as to what remedies may be available to us.

“We will be making no further comment on this matter at present.”

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