Little Falls Same-Sex Couple Settle Wedding Venue Dispute

ST. PAUL (AP) - The owners of a lodge in central Minnesota have agreed to pick up the tab for the wedding and reception of a same-sex couple they initially turned away.

The Minnesota Human Rights Department says Cole Frey and his fiance have settled their discrimination case against the owners of Rice Creek Hunting and Recreation. The Rice Creek Lodge is a wedding venue in Little Falls.

The Department of Human Rights investigated and determined there was probable cause of discrimination by the lodge owners due to sexual orientation.

Same-sex marriage was legalized in Minnesota a year ago. Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey says it's the first public accommodation case for his department related to same-sex marriage.

The attorney for the lodge owners, Paul Rogosheske, says they realized they made a mistake in refusing to accommodate the couple.