Great points,..but here again it refers to what the constitution says,..protecting everyones rights. And pls pls pls people do not choose to be gay. People are born gay! just as you cannot refuse to serve a muslim,christian or jew(which is a choice or people are born into such faiths) ,such as you cannot refuse service to a specific race.
“Everyone’s right stops where their neighbour’s right begins. No one’s rights are bigger than their neighbour’s” ,..that’s a truth many cannot live by and has been applied here. businesses private or otherwise cannot discriminate based on geneder,religion,sexuality and race. That’s all that has happened here.

sorry ,..pls check your facts,..its more about 8- 10% of the population(maybe mamba online or an NGO can help with numbers here?),..and even so..the issue here is upholding the constitution,. Not forcing anyone to accept 1% or gay peoples choices.

As much as I do not see any problem in peoples choices (religion, sexual orientations, …), I do not see either why some consider it right to force others to embrace their choices.

The owners of this venue have made a choice about a specific religious belief that clearly does not allow them to associate with same sex lifestyle, who on earth should try and force them to change and view things differently?

They are so many other venues for weddings; why make a problem about having been refused the use of this particular venue?

On new24, I read so many comments of people comparing this sexual orientation based decision with decisions to associate with people based on race or gender.

My view is that these are two different things: No one chooses their race or gender. I choose to be gay (lesbian) or straight; I choose to be muslim or christian, or atheist… So, there cannot just be any justification to take decisions based on race or gender, because that would just be unfair since no one ever chose to be born black, white, chinese, or female or male. Also no one should be discriminated against because of their sexual choices or religion. Yet choices to associate with somebody does not necessarily imply discrimination, as long as the other person has also the freedom to choose.

If I choose to be gay, I have the obligation to accept (as much as I except others to accept my choice of being gay) others to be straight. and if some of those who chose to be christians or muslims believe they should not associate with gay people, who am to try and force them otherwise? Everyone’s right stops where their neighbour’s right begins. No one’s rights are bigger than their neighbour’s.

A couple booked the venue and then were told a few days after they had signed the contract, that the owner would not have them because they are a lesbian couple.

Refusing to provide services to someone on the basis of their sexual orientation is illegal in South Africa under both the Constitution and the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.

JoziTown Projects will never host a wedding or any other event at this venue, if a client chooses to have their event there, we will not be involved.

We encourage all South African’s to take a stand, this is shocking behaviour and we should not tolerate it.