State: Gresham bakery discriminated against same-sex couple; hearing set for March

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Posted: Feb 02, 2015 5:23 PM EST
Updated: Feb 02, 2015 7:14 PM EST

By Staff and AP reports

GRESHAM, OR (KPTV/AP) - A hearing is scheduled in March to determine how much in damages two bakers owe a lesbian couple for refusing to bake them a wedding cake.
An administrative law judge has rejected Sweet Cakes by Melissa's contention that the state's discrimination laws don't govern their refusal because it was on religious grounds.

Two years ago, the couple filed a complaint with the Oregon Department of Justice when Sweet Cakes co-owner Aaron Klein said, "We don't do same-sex marriages."

Klein and his wife, whose bakery has since closed up shop but appears to still take online orders, do not hide their religious beliefs. The Sweet Cakes website says they "strongly believe that when a man and woman come together to be joined as one, it is [truly] one of the most special days of their lives."

In the two years since the initial complaint, the state has ruled in favor of the same-sex couple and said the Gresham bakery violated their rights. Monday's interim order for the Bureau of Labor and Industries echoed that position, and found the bakery unlawfully discriminated against the couple by not giving them "full and equal access to a place of public accommodations."

Under Oregon law, Oregonians may not be denied service based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The law provides an exemption for religious organizations and schools, but does not allow private businesses to discriminate based on sexual orientation, just as they cannot legally deny service based on race, sex, age, disability or religion.


So much for Constitutionally protected religious freedom.

There's a difference between refusing to serve two gay men or two lesbians lunch, and forcing someone against their beliefs to cater or photograph a gay wedding.

I'd put the latter in the same category as forcing a Jew or Muslim to eat pork, or forcing a Hindu or vegetarian to eat beef.