In their defamation lawsuit against New York's American University, Ross Weil and Brett Royce allege the college acted maliciously when it published a newsletter describing them as "life partners," the New York Post said Sunday.

The newsletter also mistakenly said Weil was a top official for the Gay Rights Brigade.

The pair's attorney, Michael Kaufman, said the college never checked whether the published information was true and therefore should be held liable.

"No one contacted my clients to check the information," Kaufman said. "Obviously, neither of my clients submitted it."

"It has nothing to do with homophobia."

The two men are seeking $1.5 million in damages from the college for harm inflicted to them by the incorrect publication.