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A conservative Carol Stream group is suing the Holiday Inn Select in Naperville, claiming it was discriminated against because of its political agenda, which opposes gay rights.
The group, Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, has filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the hotel after being denied a banquet room two years ago.
Peter LaBarbera, president of the organization, said the group was founded in 1996 to oppose the “homosexual agenda,” namely gay marriage and adoption.
“We are an anti-gay group,” LaBarbera said. “We are opposed to homosexual behavior. We are just on the other side.”
In 2007, Americans for Truth About Homosexuality set up a dinner event with the Holiday Inn Select. The hotel canceled the event after LaBarbera said he was honest with staff about the possibility that protests might occur.
“I told them we have this radical gay group that might protest, and it all went downhill,” LaBarbera said.
LaBarbera said hotel officials claimed there was a wedding that day and they didn’t want a protest around.
Hotel manager Dennis Igoe declined to comment on the group’s allegations or the details surrounding the incident, saying he has not yet been served with a lawsuit.
LaBarbera said the group has not yet specified what amount it will seek in the lawsuit.
A conservative Carol Stream group is suing the Holiday Inn Select in Naperville, claiming it was discriminated against because of its political agenda, which opposes gay rights.
The group, Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, has filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the hotel after being denied a banquet room two years ago.
Peter LaBarbera, president of the organization, said the group was founded in 1996 to oppose the “homosexual agenda,” namely gay marriage and adoption.
“We are an anti-gay group,” LaBarbera said. “We are opposed to homosexual behavior. We are just on the other side.”
In 2007, Americans for Truth About Homosexuality set up a dinner event with the Holiday Inn Select. The hotel canceled the event after LaBarbera said he was honest with staff about the possibility that protests might occur.
“I told them we have this radical gay group that might protest, and it all went downhill,” LaBarbera said.
LaBarbera said hotel officials claimed there was a wedding that day and they didn’t want a protest around.
Hotel manager Dennis Igoe declined to comment on the group’s allegations or the details surrounding the incident, saying he has not yet been served with a lawsuit.
LaBarbera said the group has not yet specified what amount it will seek in the lawsuit.
