Posted on 02/04/2015 2:42:57 PM PST by SeekAndFind
It’s official: the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries has found that Aaron and Melissa Klein, the Christian bakers who gained national attention after they refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple in 2013, were guilty of discrimination — and could be forced to pay up to $150,000 in damages.
“A Gresham bakery unlawfully discriminated against a same-sex couple by denying them full and equal access to a place of public accommodations,” read a statement released by the agency on Monday.
The government has found the Kleins — owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa — guilty of “unlawful discrimination under the Oregon Equality Act [of 2007],” with an impending March hearing set to address the damages that the Christian couple will be required to pay to Rachel Cryer and Laurel Bowman, the lesbian couple who filed a civil rights complaint after the Kleins declined to make them a wedding cake in January 2013.
Sweet Cakes By Melissa is a private business and is not exempt from anti-discrimination laws as other religious institutions are; the couple has said in the past that they fear the damages could bankrupt them.
“Under Oregon law, Oregonians may not be denied service based on sexual orientation or gender identity,” explained the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries statement. “The law provides exemption for religious organizations and schools, but does not allow private businesses to discriminate based on sexual orientation, just as they cannot legally deny service based on race, sex, age, disability or religion.”
Aaron and Melissa Klein were also investigated for unlawful communication of “future intention to discriminate based on sexual orientation” due to past media interviews during which they discussed the situation and their faith-based opposition to homosexuality, though they will not be punished for speaking out on the issue.
(Excerpt) Read more at theblaze.com ...
TOTAL: $150,000
Next question: What if they refuse to pay?
Why aren’t Republicans and conservatives highlighting these stories?
So since Americans have a right to own guns, do gun shops have to sell to anyone?
Since alcoholism is a disability, do liquor stores and bars have to serve drunks?
If people can cross our border illegally and get away with it, why are bakers required to make cakes?
I would imagine that they would get their wages taken out automatically. If they couldn’t pay, they would end up in jail. I think they should appeal until they don’t have any appeals left. That should get them at least 5-10 years and by then 150K will be like 20K.
I’d really like to see a huge conservative outcry. Where are Christians of all denominations?
CRICKETS.
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
And they would owe their lawyers 500k in today’s dollars.
it’s a private business that serves its clients.
it’s not a “place of public accomodation” like a park or rental space.
further the way to get around this is either to state clearly they don’t have the expertise/skilset to properly do (whatever), or state that that kind of thing falls under their advanced/special services area, which costs a minimum of at least $100,000 to start. they do have the right to specify special services and special packages and set the price however they want, nobody is forced to buy it. Unless businesses can’t determine what they consider normal or special services, and can’t set their own prices anymore.
Oh.....Didn’t take that into consideration. You are right. I wonder what they will do then.
The story is just being discussed. Give it time. It takes awhile before uprises happen. Perhaps it will happen for this story.
Case needs to appealed. Hope a good lawyer takes it on Pro Bono!
Last I read, Both Freedom of Expression and the 13th Amendment are applicable. He has the right under the 1st to express his religion and Hobby Lobby confirms it applies to his type of business. As far as forcing him to labor for another against his will, with no contract for specific performance it would violate the 13th. It involves personal labor not just the selling of a fungible good.
I mean there are so many arguments to use to defend. I hope their attorneys use them all, correctly, and well.
They can always go bankrupt.
Well, in this case, it’s something specified in the law. In regards to drunks, you can be criminally liable if you serve a drunk and you can lose your liquor license. In regards to guns, who you can sell to and “how” is specified, too.
“they do have the right to specify special services and special packages”
Interesting argument. Say they did charge $1000 extra for a gay cake. The gay couple would argue that is discrimination also. The bakers could then argue then that gays are the same as everyone else, they require no special cake. The bakers then claim they choose not to serve them for personal reasons, which they have a right to do as private business owners.
The thing to do ... is simply ... CHANGE THE LAW. That’s how you apply your “political force”.
THEN ... it can be appealed on Constitutional grounds, if it is as you say ... and they will win (again, given that your stated understanding here is correct).
They’d go to jail if they don’t pay. I’d like to see what happens if these people go to jail for not making a gay cake. They would become martyrs.
File a law suit when eating just cake is not enough.
Generally, I’m more of a libertarian so I know I get into trouble here where I don’t have a problem with same sex marriage here. However, I do support people to have the right to follow their conscience like these bakers who refuse to bake a cake for a same sex wedding. Instead of raising a stink about it or making a law, the idea under our capitalist system is to find another baker who will do it or do it on their own. Forcing people to go against their principles and conscience is wrong. No one should be forced by the law to do this.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.