Thursday, April 11, 2013

WA Florist Sued for Refusing to Serve Gay Couple; Won't Do Wedding Due to Her Rapport with Jesus

A Washington state florist is being sued for refusing to supply flowers for a same-sex wedding, the Inquisitr website reports today (April 11, 2013).

Barronelle Stutzman -- who owns Arlene's Flower Shop in Richland, Washington -- was approached by a gay man who wanted her to supply flowers for his upcoming wedding.

"He said he decided to get married, and before he got through I grabbed his hand and said,'I am sorry. I can't do your wedding because of my relationship with Jesus Christ,'" Stutzman said. "We hugged each other and he left, and I assumed that was the end of the story." It wasn't, as she is being sued for discrimination.

Stutzman said she believes she has the right to refuse service -- even though the state says she is not allowed to. Under Washington state law, sexual orientation is a protected class. The state's attorney general Bob Ferguson has filed a consumer protection lawsuit against Stutzman.




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