Why a Gay Man Is Raising Money for Homophobic Bakers

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Remember the husband and wife who owned a bakery called Sweet Cakes by Melissa in Gresham, Ore., and refused to make a cake for a lesbian couple in January?

In response, the state of Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries could fine Aaron and Melissa Klein up to $150,000, The Oregonian reported.

At this point, 21 states and Washington, D.C., have laws making it illegal to refuse service to someone on the basis of sexual orientation. Some states have exceptions for small businesses and religious organizations—but not Oregon. An antidiscrimination law there protects gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people from discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations.

The Kleins say a fee of this size would bankrupt them. They have already closed their store, but according to The Huffington Post, they’re still taking orders online and operating out of a home kitchen. The couple have become heroes within conservative and antigay circles, appearing in October at the Values Voter Summit, where they were lauded for refusing to compromise their beliefs.

"It's definitely impacted us pretty hard financially, and it's been a little stressful, but...we have the Lord and so He's been keeping us strong," said Aaron Klein.

At least one gay person feels sympathy for the couple. Matt Stolhandske, a gay Christian and a board member of Evangelicals for Marriage Equality, has started fund-raising in case they do get fined and go bankrupt.

“We strongly disapprove of the Kleins’ discriminatory act towards the women who simply requested a cake for their reception," Stolhandske wrote in The Washington Post, "but we are raising money to demonstrate to the Kleins what love looks like in the face of discrimination.”

http://news.yahoo.com/why-gay-man-raising-money-homophobic-bakers-202312438.html

Now that's something. The sinner is more Christlike than the Christians.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Wow! Hats off to this guy. I am sure they will take his gay money even though they wouldn't bake a cake for his wedding if he asked.

[Darnell 8,478]

fudge packing? wait - I gotta look that up.

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oh no... just no...

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I doubt anyone wants to see the couple become bankrupt. But seriously, this whole situation could have been entirely avoided if they had kept their private feelings separate from their role as owner's of a business. Completely unnecessary.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Isn't that always the case though?

Now that's something. The sinner is more Christlike than the Christians.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I doubt anyone wants to see the couple become bankrupt. But seriously, this whole situation could have been entirely avoided if they had kept their private feelings separate from their role as owner's of a business. Completely unnecessary.

The issue has become that refusing service to gay people(which is simple discrimination and bigotry) is now viewed as standing up for one's religious beliefs.