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Florist, Told She Must Do Gay Wedding, Sues
Baptist Press ^ | 5/17/13 | Michael Foust

Posted on 05/18/2013 12:33:25 PM PDT by marshmallow

RICHLAND, Wash. (BP) -- A florist who was told by the state of Washington she must provide her services for a gay wedding is countersuing the state, saying she has served gay customers her entire career and is concerned the state's position on gay weddings will harm religious freedom.

The countersuit by Arlene's Flowers came weeks after Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson sued the florist when its owner, Barronelle Stutzman, declined to design a wedding floral arrangement for a longtime customer who is gay. Washington legalized gay marriage last year.

The countersuit, filed by the group Alliance Defending Freedom, says Stutzman has employed gay people and happily served gay customers, including the gay man, Robert Ingersoll, who wanted the floral arrangement. But her Christian faith precludes her from providing her services to a gay wedding, the countersuit says.

"Arlene's Flowers has never refused to sell flowers to someone simply because of sexual orientation," the countersuit says. "But because of Barronelle Stutzman's Christian faith, she cannot as a matter of conscience participate in or facilitate a same-sex wedding by using her creative skills to personally craft floral arrangements to decorate the wedding. The Attorney General's attempt to use state law to compel her and Arlene's Flowers to do so violates the state and federal constitutions."

(Excerpt) Read more at bpnews.net ...


TOPICS: Current Events; Moral Issues; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: homosexualagenda; lawsuit; washington
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1 posted on 05/18/2013 12:33:25 PM PDT by marshmallow
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To: marshmallow

Excellent! Finally we are fighting fire with fire! These liberal bassturds make the faulty assumption that people will not fight back with the legal system.


2 posted on 05/18/2013 12:37:06 PM PDT by mazda77
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To: marshmallow

I hope she wins. And kicks some flowery ass!


3 posted on 05/18/2013 12:38:47 PM PDT by swampthang77
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To: mazda77

These liberal bassturds make the faulty assumption that people will not fight back with the legal system.


That’s because they have a bully mentality.


4 posted on 05/18/2013 12:39:29 PM PDT by laplata (Liberals don't get it. Their minds have been stolen.)
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To: marshmallow

I hope she gets millions but this liberal ass clown AG who started this should shell out those same millions from his own pocket.


5 posted on 05/18/2013 12:39:52 PM PDT by max americana (fired liberals in our company after the election, & laughed while they cried (true story))
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To: marshmallow

So if i sell something to Bob i am legally obligated, no matter what, to sell the same thing to Lance?

This country is sick


6 posted on 05/18/2013 12:40:31 PM PDT by mowowie
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To: marshmallow

Excellent! Good for her. All I can say is if I were in her position, I would fight to the ends of the earth. I’d even resort to bloodshed before I’d submit to some government trying to force me to service such deviancy. And believe me, that’s not hyperbole.


7 posted on 05/18/2013 12:44:31 PM PDT by greene66
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To: max americana

Oh absolutely. But I hold to the idea that the genpub taking it in the shorts early and oftrn may well be the ultimate solution. Because it is the genpub that voted these liberal bastards into power. Or voted their bosses into power who then appointed them.

The collective ‘we’ is ultimately responsible and thus should pay dearly for it’s willing actions.

I know that it sucks for people like us. It sucks we have to pay for any of this crap. But I just don’t see another way. When lib taxpayers go broke from all the lib inspired lawsuits, then they may wise up. If not the whole thing collapses under its own weight.

Win/Win for us either way in the long term.


8 posted on 05/18/2013 12:46:11 PM PDT by Norm Lenhart
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To: marshmallow

I am so happy to learn about this.
I had a graphic, which I’ll never find.


9 posted on 05/18/2013 12:46:53 PM PDT by onyx (Please Support Free Republic - Donate Monthly! If you want on Sarah Palin's Ping List, Let Me know!)
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To: marshmallow

Do it in poison ivy.


10 posted on 05/18/2013 12:48:42 PM PDT by bmwcyle (People who do not study history are destine to believe really ignorant statements.)
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To: bmwcyle

using her creative skills to personally craft floral arrangements

I would stuff some flowers in a jelly glass and send them over. Hows that for creative.


11 posted on 05/18/2013 12:52:17 PM PDT by Venturer
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To: marshmallow

She should agree to do it6 and make up some gaudy ass arrangement and demand payment!!!


12 posted on 05/18/2013 12:52:42 PM PDT by ontap
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To: Venturer

Dipped in skunk piss.


13 posted on 05/18/2013 12:59:02 PM PDT by bmwcyle (People who do not study history are destine to believe really ignorant statements.)
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To: marshmallow

Gay bars should have to let in married Christian couples, even on tranny nights. What?? They don’t agree??


14 posted on 05/18/2013 1:06:08 PM PDT by Yaelle
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To: max americana
Exactly...make it hurt personally, and maybe the a**holes will think twice next time.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

15 posted on 05/18/2013 1:08:06 PM PDT by wku man (Amnesty? No Way, Jose (No Se Puede!) by 10 Pound Test http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsTUQ8yOI2c)
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To: marshmallow; All

The states have never amended the Constitution to expressly protect so-called gay rights. So the 1st Amendment-protected right of religious expression, which the 14th Amendment applied to the states, trumps any state law or state constitutional provision which is now being interpreted as protecting gay rights.

The reason that Christians are now being harrassed for not respecting such PC “rights” is the following imo. Parents have not been making sure that their children are being taught the Constitution, as the Founding States had intended for it to be understood, in the nation’s public and private schools.


16 posted on 05/18/2013 1:14:11 PM PDT by Amendment10
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To: marshmallow

This may depend on how the same sex marriage law was written. Recently in Minnesota, conscience rights protection was written into the law for churches and clergy only. It did not extend to vendors, hotel management, etc.


17 posted on 05/18/2013 1:21:44 PM PDT by johniegrad
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To: marshmallow

She should announce that in return for not doing same-sex weddings, she will provide flowers for funerals at cost.


18 posted on 05/18/2013 1:21:47 PM PDT by reg45 (Barack 0bama: Implementing class warfare by having no class.)
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To: marshmallow

Re: The “thou shalt serve gays” bully play by the government...Kinda makes you think of the IRS.


19 posted on 05/18/2013 1:27:39 PM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: Yaelle

Church outreach groups. And Bingo.

And sue them if they refuse for the very same reasons with the very same language if they refuse.


20 posted on 05/18/2013 1:38:11 PM PDT by Norm Lenhart
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