A lesbian couple in Gresham, Oregon got a taste of religious bigotry when they tried to purchase a cake from "Sweet Cakes by Melissa",—an establishment owned by someone not named Melissa. Aaron Klein is the owner of the cake bakery and he says that he and his wife won't bake cakes for same sex unions. That's what he told the two brides who requested a confection for their blissful event.
"I believe that marriage is a religious institution ordained by god," said the owner of "Sweet Cakes by Melissa," showing his poor business sense.
In case you aren't aware, Gresham is in a blue state—Oregon—which may not have legal gay marriage (yet), but is home to many in the LGBT community. And maybe you haven't heard, but fabulous desserts are usually a hit with members of the gay community—hell, any community to be honest. So it's extremely poor business sense to refuse service to someone simply because you disagree with what they choose to do in their bedroom.
Here's something that Aaron Klein should be made aware: discrimination of this nature is not protected and he'd be lucky if he doesn't get sued so badly that he has to close his little cake hut. There are names for people like this bakery owner, and they've been applied to many like him throughout history. He's no better than the shop owners who refused to serve blacks back before their civil rights movement.
Photo: OnTop
Chelsea Hoffman is a candidly opinionated crime analyst with a lifelong interest in criminology and activism. She also owns 'Girl Nerdology' and is the author of several fiction stories. Follow her on Twitter @TheRealChelseaH or email her privately through Chelsea Hoffman: Case to Case.
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 17
Any business that feels that it should not contribute or assage the gays in their quest to pollute our society with the selfish lust for a "same sex" lifestyle is a hero to the true American spirit, a spirit of family values, and a secure morrality that will serve as a compass for future generations.
It's high time the conservatives in this country made their thoughts, and objections heard. As the gate keepers of moral, and logical ideals to save our republic from misguided, thoughtless liberalism we aren't doing enough.
Make some noise my fellow republicans! Close up every hole of congress that allows gays to thrive, and trade votes for gay "specific legislation."
1) {Allowing "Gay Marriage" to become a legally recognized part of American Lilfe flies in the face of traditional, church sanctioned marriages that have been the seed of our culture.}
If you honestly believe this to be the way Christians are suppose to treat people of other faiths, religions, beliefs and/or non beliefs, then how can you call yourself a Christian? I ask this question, since to hate, discriminate against and/or to show prejudice against another person is counter to the teachings of the Bible. Thereby, being non Christian in it's premise/principle.
2) {Any business that feels that it should not contribute or assage the gays in their quest to pollute our society with the selfish lust for a "same sex" lifestyle is a hero to the true American spirit, a spirit of family values, and a secure morrality that will serve as a compass for future generations.}
As a Christian, which you seem to believe you are, how can you morally allow yourself to denigrate, denounce, accuse and disingenuously speak of other humans when it is in direct violation of the Bible's teachings which denote that Christians are suppose to exhibit Love, understanding, tolerance and inclusion of all people.
3) {It's high time the conservatives in this country made their thoughts, and objections heard. As the gate keepers of moral, and logical ideals to save our republic from misguided, thoughtless liberalism we aren't doing enough.}
By what standards do you preceive to believe that Conservative Americans hold a higher ground on/of morality than is held by those who are of a more Liberal ideology ?
I believe that it would seem to any logically thinking/reasoning person, that when one believes and/or places him/herself above others or suggest or proposes that he/she is a better person than someone else, then that person has by doing so, eliminates him/herself from any real moral position which he/she may have previously held.
4) {Make some noise my fellow republicans! Close up every hole of congress that allows gays to thrive, and trade votes for gay "specific legislation."}
I personally find the above statement to be both unintelligently written, discriminatory in it's meaning. I further find, that it is profoundly asinine in it's proposed call for unification of our elected representatives to take some kind of a mentally skewed prejudical action against a particular segment of our society. All being non Christian, Immoral, as well as unConstitutional in it's proposed supposition.
{i.e.} In reading your posted comment, I really can not find any Christian morality anywhere within it's rabid context. At least not the morality which I remember being taught to me in my youth.
This person, has the right to deny a person service, however I would caution her in this day in age, she could get sued for denying the person services. And the case that I know of involves a photographer in New Mexico who got sued for refusing to shoot a same sex wedding, and the jury found for the couple, and he had to pay over 6K ( what he would have charged them) to the couple.
But with that being said, i think that they will be able to find someone that will make them a cake.......
I can guarantee you in the next two years it will be federally written that it's illegal to discriminate against homosexuals.
The shame is it will take a federally mandated law to afford equal rights to all people, when it should be the people respectfully affording such to their fellow man without the need for any legislated law.
I know it's in to support the gay community and pop culture is all gung ho when it comes to gay marriage, but I am not.
While I treat all people with respect, I do not support homosexuality. In Ms. Hoffman's eyes, I am a bigot and since I'm a Christian, then I must be a "religious bigot". Of course she knows me so well, right?
This is a tactic often used by liberals. It's OK for us to force our brand of what's right, but don't you dare try it or we'll make you pay.
If a shop won't make a cake, go to a different shop instead of making a big drama out of it.
2. This was a couple who was simply trying to get a cake for their wedding. The only reason their lesbian relationship was even brought up was because the owner asked for the name of the "bride" and the "groom" so the names could be put on the cake. When they told the names, he tripped out.
3. Businesses can refuse business for a number of reasons, ALMOST any reason. But according to federal law you cannot refuse service based on skin color, religion or gender -- and there is already precedent against homosexual discrimination in the system, so it's likely that discrimination based on homosexuality will be federally illegal as well.
While it's not surprising in the least to me that you're a christian, "big mama," this really isn't a religious issue, nor was it for the women who were refused service. Nor were they going out of their way to cause a stir. They were just trying to get a cake for their wedding -- and your attempt at trying to minimalize the issue by assuming they did something wrong on purpose just shows your bigotry.
{They are being judgmental and according to "the word" that is wrong. It is funny how "some" people of faith pick and choose what to live by when it comes to religion.}
I have had the same discussion with those who profess to be of the Christian faith on many ocasions, both here on GN and in other open conversation places as well.
When confronted with the enigma of their personally judgemental thoughts and actions as being in conflict with their Biblical teachings, they can not present a good case in defense of their position on the issue. Most will atempt to side track the issue to something else which has nor relevance to the question of discussion. Albeit, they will continue to proclaim their position to be rightful in the eyes of God and themselves to be good Christians who believe in and follow the teachings of the Bible. A reasoning which is both decidedly oxymoronish and debatable to say the least. Nevertheless, that is always their continued position. It would appear as you say, a pick and choose mentality, when referring to themselves as being a Christian in religious belief and biblical following.
I have come to think of their position on certain societal issues and questions as being that they are human and we as humans all err sometimes in our reasoning and actions. My only aversion is the arrogance of superiority in morality with which such Christians err when being judgemental toward others.