A lesbian couple from Michigan say their pediatrician refused to care for their daughter because of their sexual orientation.

Krista and Jami Contreras went to Eastlake Pediatrics in Roseville, Michigan seeking health care for their six-year-old daughter Bay.

Dr Vesna Roi was initially assigned to care for Bay, but found that "after much prayer" the pediatrician had a change of heart and decided to pass Bay on to another doctor, the Detroit Free Press reported.

The other doctor from the clinic offered to care for Bay instead, and explained Dr Roi's decision to the couple.

"I was completely dumbfounded," Krista told the newspaper. "We just looked at each other and said, 'Did we hear that correctly?'"

Dr Roi later wrote the couple a letter, explaining her decision and apologised for any inconvenience and hurt she caused the couple.

"After much prayer following your prenatal, I felt that I would not be able to develop the personal patient doctor relationship that I normally do with my patients," the doctor wrote. "Please know that I believe that God gives us free choice and I would never judge anyone based on what they do with that free choice. Again, I am sorry for the hurt and angry feelings that were created by this. I hope you can accept my apology."

Jami and Krista initially kept quiet, but after a few month decided to speak out and raise awareness on gender discrimination because they felt Dr Roi's actions were wrong.

"We want people to know that this is happening to families. This is really happening," said Jami. "It was embarrassing. It was humiliating... It's just wrong."