On Tuesday, the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal issued its opinion in Smith and Chymyshyn v. Knights of Columbus . The case was brought by two lesbians who were denied use of the Knights of Columbus hall in a Vancouver suburb for a reception after a planned wedding at a nearby park. Yesterday's Globe and Mail reported that the case gained national attention earlier this year after Conservative Leader Stephen Harper mentioned it during the national debate on same-sex marriages. In its decision, the Tribunal found that while the Catholic-affiliated Knights of Columbus could refuse access to the Hall because of their core religious beliefs, in doing so they were required to consider the effect their actions would have on the two women who had already contracted to rent the hall. It found that the KofC could have done more to accommodate the women without acting contrary to its core religious beliefs. It could have taken additional steps to recognize the inherent dignity of the women and their right to be free from discrimination.
UPDATE: The Dec. 1 Edmonton Sun News reported that the plaintiffs plan to appeal the Tribunal's decision to the British Columbia Supreme Court, asking it to require religious institutions to disclose their policies to couples before they sign contracts.
