Jewelry store sign prompts same-sex couple

Posted: May 22, 2015

A same-sex couple from St. John's is upset after discovering the jewelry store that sold them their engagement rings has posted a sign that seems to oppose same-sex marriage — but one of the store's owners says he's allowed to post his religious beliefs. When Nicole White and Pam Renouf went looking for engagement rings a few months ago, the pair couldn't find anything they liked. The couple was eventually referred to Today's Jewellers in the Mount Pearl area because the store offers custom-made rings. White and Renouf visited the store and later gave specifications and a price range for potential rings. "They were great to work with. They seemed to have no issues. They knew the two of us were a same-sex couple," White said. "I referred some of my friends to them, just because I did get some good customer service and they had good prices." That was before one friend went in to purchase a ring for his girlfriend — and instead found a distressing sign. It reads: "The sanctity of marriage is under attack. Let's keep marriage between a man and a woman." The friend took a picture of the poster, which made its way back to White. "I had no idea about the sign up until that point," she said. "It was really upsetting. Really sad, because we already had money down on [the rings] , and they're displaying how much they are against gays, and how they think marriage should be between a man and a woman." The couple went to the store the following day, and asked about the sign. "They just said that that's their beliefs, and they think they can put up whatever they want. I just said it was very disrespectful, it's very unprofessional and I wanted a refund," White said. "I have no issues with them believing in what they believe in. I think everyone's entitled to their own opinion. But I don't think they should put their personal beliefs inside their business." White and Renouf hope to get a refund when the man who sold them the rings returns to town next month — but it's not guaranteed. White said the rings were meant to be a symbol of love, but now the bands seem tainted. "I think every time I look at that ring, I'll probably think of what we just went through," White said. ;