Free Republic

Officials in Oregon have ruled that Sweet Cakes by Melissa, a bakery that made national news after refusing to make a cake for a gay wedding last year, violated a lesbian couple’s civil rights. Owners Aaron and Melissa Klein, Christians who oppose same-sex unions, reacted to the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries’ ruling in an interview with KATU-TV, telling the outlet that they stand by their convictions. “We still stand by what we believe from the beginning,” ( said Aaron Klein). “I’m not sure what future holds, but as far as where we’re at right now … it’s almost...

In February, Aaron and Melissa Klein, owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa, an Oregon-based bakery, found themselves at the center of a media firestorm after refusing to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple’s ceremony. Nearly four months later, the small business continues to receive threatening and harassing phone calls and e-mails, as they grapple with the ongoing fall-out from their controversial decision. This week, they spoke with TheBlaze about the ongoing drama. It was Jan. 17 when a mother and her daughter showed up at the shop and chatted with Aaron about purchasing a cake; their meeting was...

Veteran ESPN broadcaster Ron Franklin was pulled from the air before Saturday's Fiesta Bowl after he called ESPN sideline reporter Jeannine Edwards "sweetcakes" during an off-air spat, Sports By Brooks reported Sunday. Franklin and Edwards were scheduled to work together for Friday's Chik-fil-A Bowl and the incident occurred in a pre-game production meeting also attended by ESPN announcers Ed Cunningham and Rod Gilmore. When the conversation turned to the subject of Gilmore's wife Marie being elected mayor of Alameda, Calif., Edwards tried to join in but was shut down by Franklin, according to the report. “Why don’t you leave this...