Bakery under investigation draws supporters, protesters
GRESHAM, Ore. – People on both sides of a controversy over a wedding cake showed up to speak their minds in Gresham on Saturday.
A baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple is the subject of a state investigation.
Two women protested the decision Saturday by giving away free cupcakes outside Sweet Cakes bakery and holding signs that said “tolerance is sweet” and “don’t hate, let them eat cake.”
“We just thought that was really hurtful and we feel like we should be out here taking a stand,” said protester Rachel Oleson. “We’re not going to go along with that type of hate.”
“We’ve talked to gay people and lots of allies in this neighborhood, and just so they know that shop and those views aren’t the only ones that are around,” said Kim Crane.
The Oregon Equality Act of 2007 prohibits discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. The statute includes public accommodations, such as businesses. Oregon Attorney General's civil enforcement officers are looking into whether Aaron Klein broke the law when he denied the couple a cake.
“I apologized for wasting their time and said we don’t do same-sex marriages,” Klein said Friday. I “honestly did not mean to hurt anybody, didn’t mean to make anybody upset, [it’s] just something I believe in very strongly.”
Supporters flocked to the bakery as well. Klein said Saturday was one of his busiest days ever.
“We’ll be coming here as long as they’re here,” said Miya Shalashov, who supports Klein’s decision. “We’ll buy everything.”
“[There was] pretty much a line out the door since 9:30 this morning before we opened,” Klein said. “The phone hasn’t stopped ringing all day long.”
The Portland couple who filed the complaint against Sweet Cakes asked for privacy Saturday, but their lawyer told KATU News that they appreciate the support they’ve received.
Klein said he doesn’t care about the publicity.
“It comes down to one thing plain and simple,” he said. “This is what I believe. This is my religious faith.
“The initial rush may wane, we’ll see how that plays out, but again, like I said, I’m willing to take this as far as it needs to go to stand up for what I believe in.”
Those people giving away free cupcakes....do they hold Food Handler's Cards?
Anyone going to eat "free" food given out at a street corner??
Frankly....I don't care what their beliefs are...I care more about whether they are holding down jobs...my guess is NO
 @flor3nc3 They don't need food handlers cards as they are giving them away for free. I'd have no problem eating a cup-cake from them. What scares me, is some of the workers at restaurants with tats, nose piercings and less than stellar hygiene cooking my food. Even though I eat at restaurants, I'm still concerned.Â
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You say you doubt they are holding down jobs? It is Saturday you know, and not everyone works on Saturday so maybe it's their day off?Â
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It just amazes me how narrow a view of the world some people have that are making very biased, and judgemental comments here.
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In my own opinion, the bakery will face some kind of monetary fine by the state for what they did...or did not do. Â
I don't believe I saw anything in any of the articles wherein the baker said that he hated anyone. He did say his beliefs did not agree with the lifestyle of the people who tried to buy the cake. So why is the word "hate" being used. Is it because the people who use the word all the time and put it on signs are hateful people and they are just exhibiting their demeanor. Enough with the word "hate". If you disagree, say " I disagree", don't say "hate", that is stupid and inciting. Is that the purpose of using "hate" to incite people. If it is they are total and absolute hypocrits, and they themselves are actually the intollerant ones.
Jesus never turned away any one he disagreed with... but he didn't hang out with people like the baker (religious zealot)
May I suggest that people refer to this website for a possible clarification of what a business owner may / or may not do.
http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/restaurants-right-to-refuse-service.html
The problem for him falls in with the fact that he is a public business. He had to apply for an Oregon Business License and thereby had to agree to all of the laws and regulations that the state has on the books. If he denied the couple based upon their sexual orientation and stated that in any way then he was in violation of the law and is subject to investigation and whatever repercussions that follow.
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It may be his business but he is allowed by the state to run it. He has to follow the laws against discrimination just like he has to follow health and safety laws and regulations. He actually has a right to serve the customers or say no but he does not have the right to tell them that he will not serve them because of their sexual orientation.
@Shannon K ---he also has the right to offer discounts to customers in his target market, and simply price the gay community out of his store and/or get rich trying.
Of course that would probably aggravate the gay community and their supporters even more.
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 @Shannon K FYI: In the state of Oregon, there is no General Business license, however many business activities require special licenses, permits or certificates at the county or city level.
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That being said, he still does not have the right to discriminate based on his religious beliefs. This link does help to clarify some questions when an owner can refuse service. I think the bakery owner has shot him-self in the foot over this. http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/restaurants-right-to-refuse-service.html
I dislike the two women that are giving away the cupcakes.  I do not "Hate" them, but I believe their mentality is  weakening the fabric of America with this..."oooh, he hates, she hates" bologna, they are hypocrites. The business owner has the right to sell to whomever he wishes.  That said, if I were the bakery owner, I would sell my wares to ANYONE who had the cash.
I have two cousins who are in same sex relationships, and after reading this story, they both agree with the shop owner. One of them, "Gina" owns a small bridal shop in San Diego and she's turned down same sex couples numerous times and will tell them about places that can help them,and instead of getting mad at her, they thank her for telling them where they can go to get the help they need and in return, they tell their straight friends about her shop.
 @maggotbaby13 "I have two cousins who are in same sex relationships" ...  "she's turned down same sex couples"Bull****. Do you have any idea how stupid that sounds? Also, "MaggotBaby13"? Nice name.
I find it offensive that Mr. Klein is not being allowed to practice his faith as he sees fit. He is not hurting anyone, nor is he being discriminatory or any other PC statements. Why is it that the tolerance crowd have no tolerance when it comes to things they don't agree with? Why doesn't the ACLU come to my defense? Is it because I have no rights as a conservative Christian? Sure sounds like it.
 @Lissa You can believe what ever you want. It's when your religious beliefs are used to infringe on other peoples rights that the issue comes up. Where people are taking issue here, is that some are viewing it as a 'right' to be served by this business like any other person, and others think that it's the business right to refuse service to anyone they wish. I personally won't take a side here. I'm just explaining to you why this issue exists, since you didn't seem to understand.
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Also note Mr. Klein is not being dis-allowed from anything, as you stated in your first sentence.
I believe he has a right to refuse any type of business if it interferes with his religious beliefs.
I find it unbelievably sad that a person's religious faith teaches them intolerance of other. Especially when the thing they are being intolerant about has absolutely zero effect on any aspect of their life. To me, it's just a cop out... a way to say "I hate XYZ..." and still try to feel like a decent human being. For me, hate will always be hate... no matter which religious message you try and coat it in :(
There probably isn't a sane way to teach respect, tolerance,compassion, understanding, and a sincere wish for the well being of others, without my encroaching upon the space for those that must hate, and threading upon their space, therefore, a wish from me to this gentleman is he learns to respect all of humanity, their private choices of sexual orientation, dating, or marriage, should ( in my opinion ) remain with those persons and their savior/s .Â