Christians donate $300,000 to bakery found guilty of discrimination
More than $300,000 has been donated to a bakery found guilty of discriminating against a same-sex couple by refusing to make a wedding cake.
The owners of Oregon bakery Sweet Cakes by Melissa were found guilty of discrimination this year, after refusing to make a cake for lesbian wedding in 2013 – despite making divorce celebration cakes and cakes for ‘gay cure’ groups without issue.
They were earlier this month ordered to pay $135,000 in damages, and were reportedly the subject of a gag order preventing them from talking about the case.
The adamantly anti-gay American Family Association (AFA) rallied its supporters to donate to Sweet Cakes to cover the fine, and has since raised over $300,000.
Owners of the bakery, Melissa and Aaron Klein, posted on Facebook to denounce the gag order, saying: “This effectively strips us of all our First Amendment rights. According to the state of Oregon, we have neither freedom of religion nor freedom of speech.”
They have since removed the Facebook post.
Speaking to Fox News, the Kleins claimed that they had until 13 July to pay the $135,000, despite that if they win on appeal they will not get the money back.
“This is intimidation and bullying—that’s exactly what it is. They are trying to strong-arm me into handing over $135,000 to the two girls and if I win on appeal—they will never pay me back,” they said.
“Aaron and Melissa Klein aren’t backing down from this calculated attack on their religious liberties and their freedom of speech,” AFA president Tim Wildmon said.
“Now is the time for all Christians to stand together in support of the Kleins and their five children, letting them know that we support them, their stance for God’s definition of marriage and their bravery in the face of this incredible ordeal.”
