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Lawsuit settled over local law, LGBT weddings

Posted at 9:47 AM, May 03, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-03 11:47:35-04

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) -- A northern Idaho city has settled a lawsuit brought by wedding chapel owners who oppose same sex marriage.

The Coeur d'Alene Press reports that Coeur d'Alene agreed Friday to pay the Hitching Post $1,000 -- but not to change its non-discrimination ordinance. The city attorney says the city hopes the settlement will save taxpayers' money.

The city's ordinance makes it illegal to discriminate because of sexual orientation but includes an exception for religious organizations.

The Alliance Defending Freedom sued Coeur d'Alene on behalf of Hitching Post Weddings owners, who say the ordinance violated their right to freedom of speech and free exercise of religion.

The lawsuit came shortly after Idaho's same-sex marriage ban was struck down.

Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Jonathan Scruggs says he views the settlement as a win.