Time for "what do you think"...

and the main issue for you to ponder and express your opinion on has to do with Maryland's passage of a marriage equality law, that allows same-sex couples to wed.  Actually the question is what do you think about the reaction of one Maryland business to this law.

On Tuesday, that law goes into effect and Discover Annapolis Tours, a trolley company that has been involved in weddings in that city for years is walking away from all business relating to weddings.  The owner, Matt Grubs won't comment on the situation except to state he is walking away from $50,000 a year in revenue and that his choice is based on:

The fact he is a Christian and serving same-sex couples would violate his religious beliefs.

Because he runs a "public accomodation" he can't legally discriminate and exclude same-sex couples while providing his services to heterosexual couples.

He suggested in an email to a prospective client that he turned down that Maryland residents should approach the Legislature to add an exemption to the law for the "layperson in the pew".

So, what do you think?  I know it isn't fair for me to ask without sharing my own opinion so here it is.  I think he has every right to choose to stop providing service to all weddings.  As long as he isn't discriminating, he is doing nothing legally wrong. 

I also think there's no reason to provide a "layperson" exemption.  That's just a way to allow religious discrimination and circumvent basic civil rights.

I further think that this is a bad business decision on his part.  Not just because he's walking away from $50,000 in revenues, but because I think that there will be individuals who will refuse to use his business under any circumstance due to his position on this issue.  Just as a business owner has every right to stop providing one of his services, so as to avoid being forced to serve a segment of the population he doesn't want to serve; I and others have the right to refuse to patronize a business that makes such a choice.

That's my opinion.  What is yours?