A New York couple is suing a Manhattan co-op for refusing to sell them a unit because they are not married to one another.

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Lisa Latoni, 42, and Andrew Jorgensen, 39, said their application to purchase an 18th-floor, two-bedroom $880,000 home at Sherman Square was initially approved by the co-op's board, but suddenly that approval was rescinded.

The couple was told the board was concerned about Jorgensen's finances and would not approve the sale to both of them, but would approve it to Latoni alone.

"They are not a couple," the co-op's lawyer, John Van Der Tuin told the New York Times."They're asking the co-op to make a legal commitment to them that they're not willing to make to each other."

The couple sued the co-op in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, saying they were the victims of discrimination based on their marital status. The co-op tried to have the suit dismissed, but Justice Emily Goodman ruled this summer an essential portion of the case could proceed. A ruling is not expected for months, the report said.