FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- A Fort Collins shelter is being accused of discrimination, after allegedly kicking out a man because he's gay.

John Garon, 34, said he stayed at the Open Door Mission for about three weeks until shelter director Reverend Richard Thebo told him he was no longer welcome.

The reason, according to Garon, is that Thebo said, "I don't allow homosexuals to use these facilities."

Garon said he was stunned to be thrown out for something he can't change.

But Thebo accused Garon of "hitting on" another man at the shelter, and of flaunting his sexuality.

Garon denied those claims.

Gays and lesbians are allowed to eat meals and take showers at the facility, Thebo said, but are not allowed to sleep in the shelter.

"I will not let them exert their sexuality here," he told the Fort Collins Coloradoan. "Men have to sleep next to other men (in the shelter)."

Thebo said the Open Door Mission does not receive any state or federal funding, exempting him from federal and state anti-discrimination laws.

Thebo said he can refuse service to anyone.