No fine for Oregon baker who refused service to gay couple

MyNorthWest ^ | 20 March 2013 | Linda Thomas

[CounterCounterCulture]

After all the fuss about an Oregon baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple, the state says there is "not an investigation into this issue." The dispute involves a Portland woman, her fiancee and fiancee's mother. In February, the mom and one of the brides-to-be went to Sweet Cakes by Melissa in Gresham to order a wedding cake.

Aaron Klein, who runs the bakery with his wife, says same-sex marriage goes against his Christian faith so he would not make a wedding cake for the couple.

After that, the small bakery gained international attention with some supporting their decision and others abhorring it. Duff Goldman, of the Food Network show, "Ace of Cakes," offered to make cake for the Portland couple for free.

Goldman, who owns Charm City Cakes, also said he'd personally drive it up from Los Angeles and deliver it for their wedding.

Despite the concern and controversy, there likely will be no fine for the small bakery.

The Oregon Equality Act of 2007 expressly prohibits businesses from discriminating against customers on the basis of their sexual orientation.

An initial complaint was filed with the Oregon Department of Justice (their state's attorney general's office) fraud division, according to spokesman Jeff Manning. He says they get about 12,000 complaints a year about businesses in the state, but this incident doesn't fall under the regulations involving fraud.

They recommended it be turned over to the Bureau of Labor and Industries, which has a civil rights division responsible for employers in the state.

"We do not have a complaint filed against Sweet Cakes by Melissa so there's not an investigation into the issue," says Charlie Burr, a bureau spokesman.

It would seem a case that was never officially opened, is now closed.

The bakery owner says the rush of business they received from people who supported his position has slowed down, but they are busier than they'd normally be for this time of the year.

They still get a few phone calls denouncing their business, he says.

Klein has no regrets. He's determined to continue standing up for what he and his wife believe - marriage should be between a man and a woman.

"I'd do it all again," says Klein. "I am standing up for what I believe is right. I wouldn't change anything about what I did."

[al baby]

I had friended an Ethiopian family back in the 80s well one of the guys got married to a girl i set them up with a cake place well they put a Honkey couple as the cake topper oh well

[ilovesarah2012]

Hope their business enjoys much success and they make lots of money.

Screw the lunatics.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

The Oregon Equality Act of 2007 expressly prohibits businesses from discriminating against customers on the basis of their sexual orientation.

But discrimination against Christians who run businesses is allowed.

[Viennacon]

Good news.

[willardwx]

If I live in a free country, why do I have to sell anything to sexual perverts that are going to Hell? I think it is a sin on me!!

[Viennacon]

100% in agreement.

[mass55th]

That’s queer.

[x]

I initially read this as:

No fine for Oregon baker who refused to service gay couple

Maybe they wanted his frosting squeeze squirt bottle.

[Conserev1]

When will the sane ones of America stand up to this BS!
Man that an oppurnituty for a gay baker to open and make a fortune!
It is a shoe in with the name Queer Baker!

[SkyDancer]

When liberals discriminate, it’s called “freedom of choice”. When conservatives do it, it’s “discrimination”.

[laplata]

I had friended an Ethiopian family back in the 80s well one of the guys got married to a girl i set them up with a cake place well they put a Honkey couple as the cake topper oh well

---

What’s that mean??????

[Pollster1]

That’s mighty generous of our ruling class - choosing not to fine free Americans for exercising their God-given rights that are supposed to be inviolate under the First Amendment.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Duff would cavort in the road naked, painted in rainbow colors if it’d get him publicity.

[RoosterRedux]

Sorry you don't understand Ethiopian...it is difficult to master.

But well don't give up...you too may marry a girl and put a Honkey on your cake.

/;-)

[RoosterRedux]

Free country? You live in Obama World.

You can kill a honkey...but you cannot refuse butt-boys.

[laplata]

Now I understand.

[RoosterRedux]

As an aside..."al baby" is one of the good guys...very clever.

Good to have you on FR...welcome from another newbie!:-)

[MacMattico]

Who would want a cake from a business that’s being forced to make it?

{militant gays}

Just think of the ingredients one could put in that cake!

We had a cake maker in our town that really didn’t like Catholics. She lost a lot of business but no way was she making my cake and I wouldn’t want to force her to!

[TArcher]

"...who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men, have assumed dominion over the faith of others, setting up their own opinions and modes of thinking as the only true and infallible, and as such endeavoring to impose them on others, hath established and maintained false religions over the greatest part of the world, and through all time;

 

...

 

 that it is time enough for the rightful purposes of civil government, for its officers to interfere when principles break out into overt acts against peace and good order; and finally, that truth is great and will prevail if left to herself, that she is the proper and sufficient antagonist to error, and has nothing to fear from the conflict, unless by human interposition disarmed of her natural weapons, free argument and debate, errors ceasing to be dangerous when it is permitted freely to contradict them. "

 

"I HAVE SWORN UPON THE ALTAR OF GOD ETERNAL HOSTILITY TO EVERY FORM OF TYRANNY OVER THE MIND OF MAN"

--The Virginia Act For Establishing Religious Freedom
--Thomas Jefferson, 1786

http://religiousfreedom.lib.virginia.edu/sacred/vaact.html