Dear Anderson Cooper, here is your example...as if you didn’t already know about it, or should have known about it. It was on Fox NEWS!
*******
The Bureau of Labor and Industries released a statement on the matter, noting that the lesbian couple in question, Rachel Cryer and Laurel Bowman, had filed an official complaint with the government under the Oregon Equality Act of 2007 — a law that protects gays and lesbians using public venues.
“Under Oregon law, Oregonians may not be denied service based on sexual orientation or gender identity,” read the release. “The law provides an exemption for religious organizations and schools, but does not allow private business owners to discriminate based on sexual orientation, just as they cannot legally deny service based on race, sex, age, disability or religion.”
The next step in the ongoing case will be for the Klein family and Cryer and Bowman to try and come to a settlement. If that is not achieved, then “the bureau may bring formal charges and move the issue to BOLI’s Administrative Prosecution Unit, responsible for processing contested civil rights division cases pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) and BOLI contested case hearing rules.”
The Christian couple, Aaron and Melissa Klein, became national news a year ago after citing their religious beliefs in refusing to bake a cake for the wedding of lesbian couple Rachel Cryer and Laurel Bowman of Portland. Last September after an abrupt shutdown of their business the couple charged that gay activists killed. it with “mafia tactics.”
Charlie Burr, a spokesman for BOLI said Friday that investigators found significant evidence that the Kleins discriminated against the couple unlawfully because of their sexual orientation, according to The Oregonian.
“We received papers from BOLI yesterday (Thursday) and they have made their decision that we have apparently discriminated. From what we have gathered we now have to wait to find out what the fines will be within 60 days. I can’t say much more but will update when I’m able to. Please continue to pray for our family. God is great, amazing and all powerful. I know He has a plan,” she added.
A conciliation process between the lesbian couple and the Christian bakers is expected to be facilitated by the state, and if a settlement cannot be reached BOLI might pursue charges before an administrative law judge.