Melissa and Aaron Klein of Sweet Cakes by Melissa bakery refused to make a cake for a same sex wedding. Photo courtesy of The Blaze.
Summary: The Portland bakery that refused to make a wedding cake for a same sex couple has paid over $135,000 in damages to the couple.
An anti-gay marriage bakery in Portland, Oregon paid over $135,000 to a same-sex couple who they refused to serve, 5 News Online reports.
Aaron and Melissa Klein owned Sweet Cakes by Melissa, a bakery that has since closed. Laurel and Rachel Bowman-Cryer attempted to hire the bakery to make a cake for their wedding in 2013, but the Kleins refused because of their religious beliefs.
“We here at Sweet Cakes 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, we feel truely honored when we are chosen to do the cake for your special day,” it states on the company website. It is unclear whether this was added before or after the Bowman-Cryers attempted to buy their cake.
In July, Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries ordered the devout Christians to pay the lesbian couple $135,000 for emotional damage.
The case sparked national interest. Conservative Christians supported the Klein’s religious stance while LGBT activists applauded Oregon state for not tolerating discrimination against gay individuals.
The Kleins refused for months to pay the fine, but eventually relented after raising $500,000 through two crowdfunding campaigns, the Washington Times reports.
This week, Aaron Klein dropped off a check for $136,927. He paid $7,000 earlier this month. The Kleins had to pay more than their original judgment because of interest.
In 2007, Oregon passed a law protecting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people from discrimination. The Kleins have expressed that although they are against gay marriage, they do not hate gay people. In August, they made several cakes and sent them to gay rights groups with the help of Christian author and TV host, Ray Comfort, who released the film “Audacity” which was about homosexuality.
The Kleins are represented by lawyers Tyler Smith and Anna Harmon of Tyler Smith and Associates. The Washington Times reports they are appealing the case.
Source: http://5newsonline.com/2015/12/29/bakery-pays-135000-after-denying-service-to-same-sex-couple/
Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/aug/21/bakers-who-refused-bake-gay-wedding-cake-send-we-l/
Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/dec/29/sweetcakes-melissa-forks-over-135000-not-baking-ga/