(Newser) – Placing an engagement notice in the local paper is usually no big deal—unless you happen to be a gay couple living in Lancaster, Penn. Jeffrey Clouser and his partner of 7 years, Brent A. Weaver, were surprised when Lancaster Newspapers refused to print an announcement for their out-of-state nuptials. "I wanted to put it out there like any other couple has the right to put it out there," said Clouser. "Lancaster, I was hoping, would be a little more progressive."

Lancaster Newspapers CEO Harold E. Miller said the announcement was "not consistent with prevailing community standards." Gay marriage is, in fact, illegal in Pennsylvania—but the couple has placed the notice in two other area newspapers. “We got an email from the paper saying that we didn’t meet the standards of acceptance, which were never made very clear,” said Weaver on WGAL 8. “I’d like to make it clear that I think standards of acceptance means you don’t like gay people." Hat tip to JimRomensko.com for the story. (Read more gay marriage stories.)

