Posted on 04/23/2013 6:31:24 AM PDT by marshmallow
Attorney general says that Barronelle Stutzman violated a state consumer-protection law when she turned down business from a homosexual couple.
RICHMOND, Wash. — Since being sued for declining to use her flower-arranging talents to adorn a same-sex “wedding,” Barronelle Stutzman has seen her flower-shop business blossom.
Local community support for her 47-year-old shop, Arlene’s Flowers & Gifts, has been “absolutely fantastic,” Stutzman cheerfully told the Register. “We’ve had more walk-in traffic than ever. People have come in to order $100 bouquets and donate $50 for our legal expenses.”
The hullabaloo erupted last week, after Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a lawsuit claiming that Stutzman, 68, violated a 2006 state consumer-protection law that says you can’t refuse to sell goods and services based on a person’s sexual orientation.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has stepped in to represent the homosexual couple.
An ACLU letter to Arlene’s Flowers, dated April 10, makes three demands: It asks that Stutzman stop refusing to serve customers based on sexual orientation, publish an apology in the Tri-City Herald and donate $5,000 to the Vista Youth Center, advertised as a place for “gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and allied youth.”
At this writing, the ACLU had received no response to the letter.
(Excerpt) Read more at ncregister.com ...
I actually trust Roberts more in these cases than I do wishy-washy Kennedy.
I don't. After I learned he changed his vote on the Obamacare case, I knew this country was in trouble.
Do you think the left has some serious dirt on Roberts that unduly influences him?
The very real injustice post-1964 is that the new law forces everyone to associate with everyone else under penalty of law.
Both laws are toxic to the spirit of free association. The Constitutional solution is to let private individuals associate and exclude as they see fit without State intervention. Retain only that public entities have an obligation to serve everyone impartially.
For whatever reason Roberts appears to be beholden to outside interests. He cannot be counted on to take a principled stand.
Florists are NOT miracle workers. There is absolutely no way to “beautify” a “same sex wedding”.
Yeah, I understand that. I hope we’re wrong.
Like there aren’t enough homo florists that would bend over forward for that business. This is about making straight businessmen and women pay for their traditonal majority beliefs. The homo victim card is being played as much or more than the race card these days.
Are there other florists? yes.
Is the product a comodity? yes.
Is there a contract already? no.
Is this person a slave? no.
Does an artist HAVE to accept a painting commission? really? no.
Are there businesses that discriminate in favor of homosexuals? A rainbow flag is more incidious than a confederate flag. Certain tenants need not apply, Certain customers not wanted when the flag is present.
These homosexuals have no real case.
I don't know. What comes to mind is this..
"What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.