Court rules against Rochester lesbians in athletic club case

The Minnesota Court of Appeals has ruled against lesbian couple Amy and Sarah Monson in their lawsuit against the Rochester Athlietic Club for discrimination in denying them a family membership.

OutFront Minnesota's Staff Attorney Phil Duran worked as co-counsel on this case along with Joni Thome of Halunen and Associates. "Obviously we're disappointed in the ruling," said Duran, "however, we are going to be discussing whether to appeal this case to the Minnesota Supreme Court."

The lawsuit alleged that the Rochester Athletic Club violated the business contracting and public accomodations provisions of the Minnesota Human Rights Act by denying the Monsons a family membership based on the fact they're not married. Because Minnesota law forbids same-sex couples from marrying, the Monsons don't have access to a legal vehicle to achieve marriage and therefore, the lawsuit contends, the athletic club's prohibition against unmarried couples receiving family memberships constitutes illegal discrimination.

"We've lost this round but we'll keep up the good fight," said Duran. "Same-sex couples and their families, like the Monsons and their young daughter, should have the freedom to fully participate in our society without undue social and financial burdens like this."