Lesbian couple sues after Catholic school won't admit daughter

Published: 2004-08-05

PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) -- The Archdiocese of Portland said it will "vigorously defend" itself against a lawsuit claiming unlawful discrimination at a Catholic school in Eugene. The suit, filed by a lesbian couple, "is believed to be totally without merit," the archdiocese said in a statement July 28. Last summer, the O'Hara School withheld admission from a preschooler who is being raised by a lesbian couple, Lee Inkmann and Trish Wilson. The pair said their lifestyle was the reason Inkmann's daughter was not admitted to O'Hara. The pair filed suit July 28 against the school and St. Mary Parish, saying the admission decision violated the Eugene city code banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and state law that blocks discrimination because of marital status. The claim seeks up to $550,000 in damages for loss of educational opportunity and "severe emotional distress, humiliation, anxiety, depression and damage to their reputations."

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