Because #LOVEWINS.
It is not enough that Aaron and Melissa Klein closed up their Gresham, Oregon shop, Sweet Cakes by Melissa after refusing to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian couple in 2013 and having their names run through the mud. Now, the “People’s Republic of Oregon” (via the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries) has reportedly ordered them to pay a $135,000 fine by this Friday or a lien will be put on their home.
Aaron Klein spoke with local Portland Radio host, Lars Larson recently:
“Basically, the state of Oregon is saying we can kick you out of your house and make you homeless. They have no qualms about the fact that they’re doing this to my five kids as well.
I would appeal to everybody in the state of Oregon. Understand that this is the way things operate. We need to institute change, take the government to task for violating our constitutional freedoms at whatever level they are doing it.”
Klein states that if they do not pay up, they run the risk of an additional $25,000 in penalties and interest. The Kleins still plan to appeal the ruling in the Oregon Court of Appeals. A website has been set up to assist the Kleins with upcoming legal costs.
The Bureau of Labor and Industries issued this earlier statement:
“The facts of this case clearly demonstrate that the Kleins unlawfully discriminated against the Complainants. Under Oregon law, businesses cannot discriminate or refuse service based on sexual orientation, just as they cannot turn customers away because of race, sex, disability, age or religion. Our agency is committed to fair and thorough enforcement of Oregon civil rights laws, including the Equality Act of 2007.”
BOLI spokesman, Charlie Burr stated that they have asked that the Kleins get in touch with the organization by July 13th either to make a payment in full, make an arrangement for partial payment or as request a stay of enforcement.
While Laurel and Rachel Bowman-Cryer thought that they were only filing a discrimination complaint, it seems as if the world has come crashing down on the Kleins. Not only did the BOLI Final Order award $60,000 in damages to Laurel Bowman-Cryer and $75,000 in damages to Rachel Bowman-Cryer for emotional suffering stemming directly from unlawful discrimination, but now, the very roof over the Klein family is threatened. While both parties may have been in their right to refuse service (and to sue, apparently), the hypocrisy reeks something awful.
#LOVEWINS when you attack the livelihood of a family.
#LOVEWINS when your actions take away the blood, sweat and tears that a family put into a business.
#LOVEWINS when you don’t forgive and seek vengeance.
#LOVEWINS when your actions can potentially make a family and their five children homeless.
#LOVEWINS by trash talking.
and #LOVE certainly WINS when your opposing dreams kill the dreams of someone else in this free country.
LopRidgeway says: Brad Avakian is the BOLI clown responsible for this and the one hearing the appeal.
Appalled By The World says: Hate needs to win. PC has gone nuts.
Lisa Carr says: Yep–nuts is putting it mildly. I’ve read one article that stated that the couple went about things in a “humble” fashion and another saying that they were suing for damages such as “weight gain due to emotional trauma.” Again, this is not a slam to the lesbian community or people with opposing views. I am against people who try and take their opposing views out on the livelihood and the family of someone else whilst claiming “humility” and “emotional trauma.” What about the emotional trauma this family is going through now? Oh, wait! Tolerance. Riiiiiiiigggggght.
Renee says: I am very, very pro “be who you are & accept other’s right to be who they are & treat everyone the way you want to be treated! ” having said that, maybe we could try to educate people like this, who discriminate against them for being who they are. you shouldn’t be granted the privilege being involved in America’s free enterprise if you’re going to discriminate against some of our citizens. with the privilege comes responsibility and it’s not our job as business owners to police what people do in their private lives. if the lesbians came in and did something untoward well inside their business that would be a completely different story. but, to just refuse to make a cake for them it’s just not right, we’re not set here on earth to sit in judgment of each other… that job has already been given to someone a lot smarter than we are! I don’t believe taking away their house & causing them great financial hardship will soften their attitude… They will probably misplace their anger and be mad at the gay community instead of the people who thought up that silly rule. should they be penalized according to the law? yes, they should because they broke the law, but that doesn’t mean that they should be financially ruined because after all they didn’t kill anybody or steal anybody’s life savings and put them on the street. I think what they did was awful but the punishment really needs to fit the crime. and I think if you asked, most gay people would respond that they don’t want to see these people put out on the street or their children penalize for their archaic views. hopefully the kids will escape their prejudices by the viewing how the world is progressing. there is enough hate in this world to go arouņd several times so let’s not perpetuate it, instead why don’t we teach acceptance and have a little faith that God knew what he was doing when he made these people, just like all the other times he made beautiful people. even if you believe and I have to say the thought is ridiculous, but even if you do believe that gay people actually choose to be gay and choose the discrimination and hardships it’s still not our job to sit in judgment! if we believe in God then we have to let him handle this! our job as human beings together on this earth is too be here to help one another and protect one another…it is not our job to perpetuate hatred and prejudice! Just saying.
Lisa Carr says: None of us were behind those closed doors and a part of that conversation between the owners and the couple. So in truth, we don’t know what was said and how it was said. I am in complete agreement that we should not sit in judgement of others and that it is not our place to judge. I, myself am a Christian and I have been on the receiving end of those judgmental types and saw the hypocrisy but, respectfully, I do believe enough is enough. The Kleins have been ordered to award damages. They have shut down their business-so “the punishment fit the crime”, I’d say. Now their home is at stake, too? I still believe, that if a business owner handles a delicate situation respectfully, that he or she is in their right to refuse service if it conflicts somehow with their morals. I do voice overs on a freelance basis. I get audition opportunities in my inbox. One was from the sex industry. Did I turn it down? Absolutely-because it does not jive with what I believe in morally and to execute copy for something I do not believe in (and to receive payment for it) is inauthentic. Nothing against anyone who works in the industry. Jesus loves them, too. But as a freelance businesswoman, I choose not to associate myself with it. And that’s my right. Plenty of voices in this market- it’s a very competitive industry. They’ll find someone who is okay with it.
Not The Same Thing says: The couple owned a bakery catering to the public. They can’t pick/choose which customers to work with…..esp. with what people do behind closed doors.
Do I think the monetary amount was too high? Yes. But at the same time, if you’re working with the public, you can’t refuse service if: A. they acted in a civil manner NOR B. it’s against your religious beliefs since a bakery isn’t a faith based business.
&, as others have said about this topic – would they turn down doing a wedding cake for a person’s 4th marriage? That’s also frowned upon by God. What about a birthday cake for a Satanist or Athiest? Will those be turned down too?
kalitia says: Why can’t they? Who are you and who is the State to force them to?
Not The Same Thing says: Because if you serve the public, you cater to ALL!
& the state is Oregon. If they have issues with that, they’re free to move somewhere else.
Just as you, SUPPOSEDLY, can’t pick/choose which Bible verses to follow, you CAN’T pick/choose which state laws to follow either.
Jon says: When God Takes Over the Gay Cakes Industry, Guess Who’ll Be Frosted!
The recent Oregon bakery case proves that “sex rights” (NOT found in the First Amendment!) can trump even religious freedom rights (featured FIRST in the First Amendment!) Since gonads are now worshipped more than the God who made them (thanks to the US Supreme Coup’s political tyranny which is now fulfilling the predicted repeat of Luke 17’s “days of Lot”), Oregon should change its name to “Oregonads”! And everyone should visit Google and indulge in “God to Same-Sexers: Hurry Up,” “USA – from Puritans to Impure-itans” and “Universal GAYety is Coming.”
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