Court Sides With Baker Who Refused to Serve Lesbian Wedding in California

A California court sided with a cake designer who declined to bake for a lesbian wedding because it violated her Christian beliefs.

QUICK FACTS:
  • A judge in Kern County, Calif., has ruled in favor of a baker who refused to design a cake for a lesbian wedding due to her Christian beliefs, Breitbart reported.
  • The state Department of Fair Housing and Employment sued ‘Tastries Bakery’ in Bakersfield, Calif., claiming that the owner Cathy Miller discriminated against a lesbian couple in violation of state legislation.
  • Miller’s attorneys fought back, arguing her right to free speech and expression of religion outweighed the argument that she violated the law. 
  • “I’m hoping that in our community we can grow together,” Miller told the Bakersfield Californian after the ruling. “And we should understand that we shouldn’t push any agenda against anyone else.”
SPECIAL COUNSEL CHARLES LIMANDRI ON PRECEDENCE FREEDOM OF RELIGION:

“The freedom to practice one’s religion is enshrined in the First Amendment, and the United States Supreme Court has long upheld the freedom of artistic expression,” LiMandri said in a statement.

BACKGROUND:
  • In August 2017, Miller refused the lesbian couple’s request for a wedding cake, sparking the same-sex couple to file a complaint with California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing. 
  • At the time, the state agency requested a temporary restraining order that would have forced Miller to sell custom wedding cakes to all couples or stop selling cakes altogether.
  • In December 2018, a judge denied the state’s request to give Miller a chance to present her side, Fox 58 reported.

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