Bakery Fined $135K For Refusing To Bake For Lesbian Wedding

One Oregon bakery is threatened with a huge fine for not agreeing to bake a cake for a lesbian wedding, according to foxnews

Melissa filed a complaint against Sweet Cakes after its owners, Aaron and Melissa Klein, of the bakery turned away a gay couple wanted to order a wedding cake last year.

On grounds of being discriminating, the state ruled against them for their sexual orientation. Oregon Labor Commissioner, Brad Avakian, gave a ruling today that they have to pay emotional damages to the couple. "This case is not about a wedding cake or a marriage," Avakian wrote. "It is about a business's refusal to serve someone because of their sexual orientation. Under Oregon law, that is illegal," according to dailysignal.

They have been asked to pay $135,000 in "damages" to the same-sex couple and also given a gag order, which did not permit them for "speaking publicly about their refusal to participate in or bake wedding cakes for same-sex unions."

However, the couple said they felt that Oregon state has "violated their First Amendment rights".

"The state of Oregon violated our First Amendment rights, not only in the freedom of religion, but also the freedom of speech in this case," Aaron Klein said. After all, it was their religion on the basis of which they refused to bake a cake for the lesbian couple.

Melissa Klein said that they "are absolutely going to appeal this decision."

"But, honestly it's just ridiculous," she said. "$135,000 for politely telling somebody, I'm sorry, I can't basically participate in your event. It's mind blowing."

Anna Harmon, one of their attorneys, called it a case of "an overpowered elected official using his position to root out thought and speech with which he personally disagrees", according to theguardian.