This situation happened recently involving a bakery in Oregon whose owner refused create a cake for a lesbian couple.
No doubt, if he is found to be violating the state's anti-discrimination law, he will definitely be NOM's newest martyr. Also, there will be - and they are already showing their faces - others who say that why should the lesbian couple worry about him. Why can't they just get their cake from another baker?
Be forewarned. This situation is about more than just a cake. It's a case where the slippery slope argument does apply.
The folks and groups who would defend this baker have never made it clear when they wouldn't defend anyone on the grounds of so-called religious liberty. They have never made a point as to say when they would stop using the religious liberty argument.
In other words, today it may be bakers refusing services to gays. What if tomorrow it's car dealerships or restaurants or apartment rentals?
Personally I hope he is found in violation of the law. It's not that I want him to be forced to bake a cake for a gay or lesbian couple.
A message should be sent this baker and others that their personal religious beliefs do not preclude them from treating every potential customer with the same amount of fairness and dignity.
8 comments:
People used to use the religious argument against serving black people. See where that got them?
If this guy discriminated against any other group of people the country would be up in arms but because it happens to be a lesbian couple, it's still OK even if it is against the law.
The man broke the law and his personal religious beliefs do not trump the law.
I don't wish anything bad on the man. I do hope he learns a lesson about the law. If he chooses to close his business, that is his choice but if he wants to serve the public, he is going to have to serve the whole public.
Was there this much of a problem when race and color was added to the anti-discrimation laws? How long did it take for people to stop?
I don't care to compare or contrast different civil movements but there is an overlap in many areas, this being one.
what religion forbids baking cakes for 2 women? the state isn't contesting his religious beliefs - that's a crock. since he's making a point of not baking the cake he deserves to be prosecuted.
Someone needs to inform this idiot that the religious liberty argument only applies if the business or organization in question is in and of itself of a religious nature. This guy's bakery does not qualify; it is a for-profit business and if he has violated the anti-discrimination laws he needs to be penalized and word of mouth should take care of the rest.
I say we keep a running post or list of LGBTQ discriminators - much like most cities have their pink pages. We can post and shame these buisnesses via the internet and any social media site you may use. This way we all know who not to give our buisness to (and it keeps our allies informed and hopefully they wont attempt to use those buisnesses either). Eventually the law catches up with these bigots, but until we all try to stand together and "out" the bigots - they will keep winning. Let's not let them get away with their hate,even if its a temporary victory, you hit them where it hurts them the most - their wallets.
Personally, I'm not hugely worried about a legal case like this. I think this baker is better tried in the court of public opinion. Even if this happens legally, this baker is going to loose business over this incident.
I think people like this do need to be exposed and discussed, as Holy Bullies does so well. Afterwards though, I feel like a combination of market forces and free speech from the man's customers will be enough to hurt his business. Anyone stupid enough to discriminate is going to find himself loosing a lot of money.
We need to keep talking about this and keeping pressure on these businesses. But legal actions aside, I think market forces will be enough to keep this problem from falling too far down a slippery slope.
I find it funny how this Sweet Cakes by Melissa place is deleting any and all negative comments from their facebook page. Even simple, non-confrontational, posts like "I'm sorry but I won't be patronizing your business anymore" are being completely white washed. Obviously they're very insecure and need to pretend that they're getting nothing but glowing praise and support from everyone.
And the "why can't gays just go to a different bakery" argument holds as much water as "why can't blacks just go to a different restaurant" one.
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