Gay couple sue caterer for canceling

NEW YORK, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- A gay couple in New York City are suing a restaurant, alleging the defendant backed out of catering their wedding after finding out it was a same-sex marriage.

Manhattan Supreme Court papers show Barrett Greene, 50, and his husband Thomas Eng, 38, booked their rehearsal dinner at the Greenwich Village Asian restaurant Amber Village back in March. A manager, Tommy Ho, met Barrett, who had also commissioned the restaurant to cater their rooftop wedding, and paid a $750 deposit, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday.

A week later, court papers say, Ho was summoned by a manager identified only as Mr. Fong, who told Ho to cancel the rehearsal dinner and catering and "make up an excuse." Fong is quoted as telling Ho that gay weddings hurt the restaurant's "feng shui" -- the Asian practice that holds the placement of items in a room responsible for health and good fortune.

The couple, who are seeking unspecified damages, say their civil rights were violated. A manager contacted by the Daily News denied turning the couple away because they are gay.