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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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To: steve86
"Was she not opposed to the sin of homosexuality when it occurred outside of marriage? Did she have no compunction at all over facilitating that relationship at the premarital stage?"

I imagine that she was, but Washington State law says you cannot deny service based on someone's sexual orientation. Which she did not do. She served homosexuals. But when it came to their wedding that is infringing on her religious beliefs.

41 posted on 05/18/2013 5:05:39 PM PDT by Spunky
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To: Venturer
I would stuff some flowers in a jelly glass and send them over.

Free lessons on flower arranging here.

42 posted on 05/18/2013 5:10:07 PM PDT by Disambiguator
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To: Secret Agent Man; All
Teachers HAVE been making sure kids aren’t taught the Constitution in government schools. And if they are, it’s the wrong teachings (ie outdated, living/breathing crap).

Instead of using schools as a babysitter, parents / guardians need to show their voting muscle and take full responsibility for what their kids are taught in the schools.

43 posted on 05/18/2013 5:19:26 PM PDT by Amendment10
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To: Spunky

I was wondering about that. As far as I can tell they passed it in 2006. I wonder if she ever knowingly provided flowers towards gays who were having a non-state sanctioned ‘gay marriage’ ceremony between themselves, or if it was just parties or whatever they use flowers for. If so, I wonder if that would hurt her case now that she is refusing when ‘gay marriage’ is recognized by the state.

Freegards


44 posted on 05/18/2013 5:29:46 PM PDT by Ransomed
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To: Ransomed
"I was wondering about that. As far as I can tell they passed it in 2006"

Marriage for gays was passed in WA last November. Before that it was a civil union for gays as well as heterosexuals who lived together if they applied for the civil union. This gave them all the benefits except for the others SS upon death.

Not enough for the Gays. They want to destroy the meaning of marriage, which is between a Man and a Women.

45 posted on 05/18/2013 6:09:54 PM PDT by Spunky
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To: Spunky

Any business owner would have been able to deny service until just recently (the referendum, as you know, only passed last year). I think she was kind of asking for it when she was so cozy with the gay clients all along.


46 posted on 05/18/2013 6:17:48 PM PDT by steve86 (Acerbic by Nature, not Nurture™)
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To: Spunky

I meant I was wondering if they had a discrimination against gays law. She said she supplied gays with flowers before this, I was just wondering if she had served a non-civil ceremony “gay marriage” before it became recognized by the state, and if that would be trouble for her case now.

Freegards


47 posted on 05/18/2013 8:47:26 PM PDT by Ransomed
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To: steve86

Not unless they force you to do it. They don’t care if you’re in business or out of business, as long as they, and not you, control it.


48 posted on 05/18/2013 9:05:01 PM PDT by TBP (Obama lies, Granny dies.)
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To: marshmallow

I work for interior decorators and have encountered occasionally people who think that if they complain enough they will get a discount or something for free, even though the work is excellent. I have a list of people I will never work for because they are a pain. I have that right.


49 posted on 05/18/2013 9:33:21 PM PDT by Guardian Sebastian
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To: steve86
"Any business owner would have been able to deny service until just recently (the referendum, as you know, only passed last year)."

It appears to me the law about discrimination due to sexual orientation became effective in 1995. The gay marriage law became effective last year. So NO! they would not have been able to deny service without being taken to task. But now gay MARRIAGE brings a different problem. It is against her religious beliefs, just like it is against some religions beliefs to have to provide contraception.

RCW 49.60.010"RCW 49.60.010

50 posted on 05/19/2013 7:39:39 AM PDT by Spunky
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To: Ransomed
"I was just wondering if she had served a non-civil ceremony “gay marriage” before it became recognized by the state..."

It is very doubtful. In a civil union you only had to fill out papers with the court. There would have been no service involved.

See my posting at #50.

51 posted on 05/19/2013 7:45:44 AM PDT by Spunky
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To: Spunky

I’m talking about a non-state recognized affair, some liberal churches have ceremonies/’blessings’ for gays without any state recognition—no civil union, no legal marriage in the state’s eyes. I imagine they have flowers and everything.

Freegards


52 posted on 05/19/2013 8:42:33 AM PDT by Ransomed
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To: stuartcr
Would you take your spouse to a gay bar on tranny nite?

If you are not willing to, then there is no fighting back. Heterosexual couples should fill the gay bars and just make out like crazy all night. Let 'em try to throw you out or ask you to stop.

53 posted on 05/19/2013 8:53:47 AM PDT by southern rock
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To: Spunky
You are correct concerning the inception of RCW 49.60.010 but does a transaction inside a private retail business fit the meaning of "in places of public resort, accommodation, or amusement". I don't know at this point and would have to research it further. I know that a sign inside another Richland business at this very moment states that this is NOT a public concourse (or words to that effect). Still don't understand why Mrs. Stutzman's religious objections didn't extend to premarital conduct. Mine do.
54 posted on 05/19/2013 9:17:45 AM PDT by steve86 (Acerbic by Nature, not Nurture™)
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To: southern rock

Hey if you and your spouse like to make out in public, knock yourself out. I doubt it would bother anyone in a gay bar anyway.


55 posted on 05/19/2013 9:20:48 AM PDT by stuartcr ("I have habits that are older than the people telling me they're bad for me.")
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To: stuartcr

Would you take your spouse to a gay bar on tranny nite?


Would you force a florist who is opposed to your wedding to do your flowers?


56 posted on 05/19/2013 9:27:10 AM PDT by Yaelle
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To: Yaelle

No, but since I’m not gay, it’s not an issue.

The two aren’t even related


57 posted on 05/19/2013 9:30:18 AM PDT by stuartcr ("I have habits that are older than the people telling me they're bad for me.")
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To: Spunky

On reading the private complaint against Mrs. Stutzman, it appears that numerous RCW sections are referenced and the claim is made that her business is covered by RCW 49.60.010 and other state law such as the Washington Consumer Protection Act. We can only hope that the guarantee of freedom to exercise religion, present in both federal and state constitutions, trumps it all.


58 posted on 05/19/2013 9:38:04 AM PDT by steve86 (Acerbic by Nature, not Nurture™)
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To: stuartcr
Hey if you and your spouse like to make out in public, knock yourself out. I doubt it would bother anyone in a gay bar anyway.

Wrong! They WILL ask you to leave, or at the very least stop. That is where you can get them, if they are not being consistent.

59 posted on 05/19/2013 9:46:29 AM PDT by southern rock
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To: southern rock

Ok, I’ve never been to one so I guess you’re right.


60 posted on 05/19/2013 12:00:13 PM PDT by stuartcr ("I have habits that are older than the people telling me they're bad for me.")
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