Poughkeepsie Journal

Saturday, March 20, 2004
Club owner backs away from gay rites

NEW PALTZ -- Organizers who planned a fourth round of same-sex marriages here today switched locations after the owner of the club where the ceremonies were to take place got a warning from state liquor authorities, the club owner said Friday.

Steve Scheno, 24, owner of The Wave, had given approval for the ceremonies at his club. But Scheno backed out after he was told by an agent from the New York State Liquor Authority that if illegal activity were conducted at the club it would ''reflect on'' the club's liquor license, he said.

The agent ''kind of insinuated that'' the club would lose its liquor license, Scheno said. The state liquor authority did not return calls for comment. Organizers said the weddings will be held instead at Lefevre House Bed & Breakfast.

-- The Associated Press