Aaron and Melissa Klein, owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa bakery, refused to bake a cake for a lesbian wedding in January 2013. They were found guilty of unlawfully discriminating against a same-sex couple by Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) and were ordered to pay $60,000 in damages to Laurel Bowman-Cryer and $75,000 in damages to Rachel Bowman-Cryer for causing physical, emotional and mental stress.
The Kleins, who are devout evangelical Christians, argued that baking the cake would be a violation of their religious beliefs but BOLI contended the bakery owners violated the state’s anti-discrimination laws because the shop is not a registered religious institution. Under Oregon law, businesses cannot discriminate or refuse service based on sexual orientation.
Administrative Law Judge Alan McCullough issued a proposed order recently that meant that the duo must pay a bill of $135,000 by July 13 or else face additional fines and a possible lien on their home.
But the couple allege they’re being discriminated against and their views are being silenced by Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian, a vocal supporter of the LGBT movement. “He wants to silence anyone who opposes his point of view. Unfortunately, he’s doing this with the wrong Christian, because I fight back. For years, we’ve heard same-sex marriage will not affect anybody. I’m here firsthand to tell everyone in America that it has already impacted people. Christians, get ready to take a stand. Get ready for civil disobedience,” Aaron told The Blaze.
BOLI communications director Charlie Burr told TheBlaze that the Kleins must contact the agency by July 13 and either pay the sum in full, make arrangements for monthly instalments, or ask for a stay.
Aaron’s attorney is drafting a request for a stay. Aaron has no plans to pay anything but he will wait to see what the courts decide on the matter. “I will not relent. I will continue. I will use every legal remedy I have to make sure that this man cannot do this to me, cannot do it to my wife, cannot do it to my five children, cannot do it to any other American,” he said.
A fundraising campaign launched to help Aaron and Melissa in their everyday expenses and any emergencies they may encounter, has raised more than $330,000.
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There was even more to this story, according to Patheos:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2015/07/sweet-cakes-by-melissa-didnt-just-deny-a-lesbian-couple-service-they-also-doxxed-them-and-their-kids.html
self-constraint doomed? http://waltherpragerandphilosophy1.blogspot.com/2015/01/self-constraint.html
I hope this guy loses, there is no place in the world for bigots. This company should have there business licence taken away and he and his wife be rocked in city square. Satonism FTW.
So the guy is simply “forced” to make a cake, even though he doesn’t want to? Damn, americans have a wierd sense of “freedom”. You’re free to do whatever….I want 🙂
he is not forced to bake a cake he was fined for harassing the two women and posting their phone numbers and home addresses so all the right wing nut jobs could harras them as well. the court order also states that in the future we advise that you serve all people of all races and beliefs. the cake couple also made out like bandits as they got free publicity and $300,000 because they lied to people to get support. I’m pretty sure your God would not like that!
Why would a gay couple want to ask a Christian bakery to bake for them anyway? If gays can have the free will to choose where to get married etc then let Christians have the freewill to refuse custom. Let muslims have the free will to wear the Burkha, let Buddhists have the free will to meditate and MIND YOUR OWN DAMN BUSINESS.
they are not a Christian bakery. just a bakery in Portland Oregon. nothing is posted outside or anywhere else to make anyone believe they are Christian. at least at the time the incident happened.
they have lied to people. they were not fined for not baking a cake they were fined for posting the two women’s phone numbers and home addresses on their Facebook page. so please before posting stories get all the facts first. is this anonymous or Fox News.
they have lied to people. they were not fined for not baking a cake they were fined for posting the two women’s phone numbers and home addresses on their Facebook page. so please before posting stories get all the facts first. is this anonymous or Fox News.
I support the owners of the bakery, us Christians have to be together in this matter, show the world there’s a reason why God left a law to follow as we follow the laws here in earth. I pray for everybody that leaves negative and bad comments against them.
THERE IS NO GOD.
when will you people get it threw your heads…
That’s THROUGH, genius…
Perhaps more of an education is needed here before you preach your own gospel.
the Ten Commandments are the law of God and not one of them says you shall not have relations with people of the same sex. if you can find it for me in the Ten Commandments and not in the bible written by several men who twisted it to control people let us know.
Seriously, please fact check before posting. The lawsuit was for making their private info phone numbers/address public. I’d love to get a hold of the owners’ personal info so they can have a taste of their own medicine.
Im with the owners of the bakery..they did the right choice to refuse baking the cake and in putting the address of these women…this phenomena is against the human nature ..its ablage and will destroy every thing by the name of freedom…they mustbe boycotted
I am disappointed to hear all of this non-sense about going against the laws of GOD. If there is a GOD, I’m pretty sure he or she would not be happy to hear about all of this discrimination. I think GOD would be very disappointed that his/her teachings have been so misconstrued.
All you people who discriminate against others, who are not like you,should be very ashamed of yourselves. Please do not pass on your horrible opinions/beliefs about others to your children. Children are naturally unbiased & very accepting, so please don’t teach them to be like you. The world needs more acceptance,not more segregation & hate.
Regardless of what I have read, 60 years on Gods Green Earth have taught me to believe only half of what I hear in person, 25% of what the media posts, and 10% of what people with a potential agenda posts. This is a Paul Harvey ‘Rest of the Story’.
Oh..wake up people its not a discrimination…read history..everything will turn upside down..these..people are mentaly and spiritually lost .they need to be wared of the bad cosequences of their deeds on themselves and on the world..