"" Administrative law judge Robert N. Spence
found Friday that Jack Phillips of Masterpiece
Cakeshop in Denver, Colo. violated the law
when he turned away David Mullins, 29, and
Charlie Craig, 33, from his shop last year.
In his written decision, Spence ordered that
Phillips "cease and desist from discriminating"
against gay couples, or face financial
penalties, and cited Colorado state law that
prohibits businesses from refusing service
based on race, sex, marital status or sexual
orientation.
"At first blush, it may seem reasonable that a
private business should be able to refuse
service to anyone it chooses," Spence wrote.
"This view, however, fails to take into account
the cost to society and the hurt caused to
persons who are denied service simply
because of who they are."
Mullins and Craig married in Massachussets
and had originally gone to Masterpiece in July
2012 because they wanted to a cake for their
wedding reception in Colorado. When Phillips
refused, the pair went to the American Civil
Liberties Union, which filed a complaint with
the Colorado Civil Rights Commission (CCRC)
on their behalf.
According to the complaint, Phillips told the
couple that the store policy was to deny
service to customers who wished to order
baked goods for a same-sex wedding, based
on his religious beliefs.
Phillips told the men, "I'll make you birthday
cakes, shower cakes, sell you cookies and
brownies, I just don't make cakes for same-
sex weddings."
The judge's decision states in its Finding of
Facts that Phillips believes creating same-sex
wedding cakes would be "displeasing God and
acting contrary to the teachings of the Bible."
In concluding that Masterpiece Cakeshop
acted unlawfully, a CCRC investigation also
showed evidence that Phillips was willing to
bake a cake for the "marriage" of a pair of
dogs, but not for two women.
"Being denied service by Masterpiece
Cakeshop was offensive and dehumanizing
especially in the midst of arranging what
should be a joyful family celebration," Mullins
said in statement. "No one should fear being
turned away from a public business because
of who they are. We are grateful to have the
support of our community and our state, and
we hope that today's decision will help ensure
that no one else will experience this kind of
discrimination again in Colorado."
Nicolle Martin, an attorney for Masterpiece
Cakeshop, told The Associated Press that the
judge's decision was "reprehensible" and
"antithetical to everything America stands
for."
"He can't violate his conscience in order to
collect a paycheck," Martin said. "If Jack can't
make wedding cakes, he can't continue to
support his family. And in order to make
wedding cakes, Jack must violate his belief
system."
Phillips can appeal the judge's order, which is
expected to be certified by the Civil Rights
Commission next week. Martin said they are
currently considering their next move.""
Link.

Fair

Foul, if he owns the shop he shouldnt have to make the cake for them....(i dont think its right to not make the cake because they are the same sex)

Foul..what ever happened to the right to refuse service? its his business so no one should be able to tell him he has to serve everyone

Agree. Besides homosexual marriages are ONLY legal in 13-15 states (mine now one of them). Off topic... I have been refused 2 apartments in another state, because I did not speak fluent Spanish. One the owner nener showed as agreed, & I waited an hour in the snow, & had to walk home. I did not run complaining "reverse discrinination " or call a lawyer & claim to be distressed. No... I got another apartment. People can get another cake.

Foul...I don't think he should be forced to make anyone a cake for whatever reason he chooses. Not saying I agree with his decision, but as the store owner with rights of his own, he has the right to not serve

So everyone that says foul wld agree with the statement that wal-mart cld decide not to serve women tomorrow...for whatever reason they choose? That wld b fair?

I would say wal mart too has the right to turn anyone away for whatever reason, the difference however is, wal mart is a corporation, a cake shop is locally owned

My mind is totally blown here that ppl wld say business owners that serve the public wld have a right to discriminate against ANYONE. I thought we had gotten past that. I know many small business owners in my lil redneck bigoted town that wld prefer not to serve black ppl, with that reasoning they have the right not too, thank goodness for civil liberty laws is all I have to say.

Meh.....Hes not a public servant, hes a private businessman.....