California Court Rules Baker Can’t Refuse Same-Sex Wedding Cake

Wedding cakes, marriage rights, & dignity for all! California court rules baker violated same-sex couple's civil rights

 

Sweet victory! A California appeals court ruled last week that bakery owner Cathy Miller cannot refuse to sell a standard wedding cake to a same-sex couple based on their sexual orientation.

 

In this unique case, a lesbian couple ordered a plain, three-tiered white wedding cake from Miller’s bakery, with no extra adornment or lettering. A simple and affordable choice for their reception – or so they thought.

 

Related: Pastry Chef Officiates Epic Gay Wedding In a Cave, And It’s Just As Cool As It Sounds

 

When the women returned for a cake testing, however, Miller discovered the cake was for their wedding and refused to sell it to them, claiming it went against her religion and the bakery’s policy that “wedding cakes must not contradict God’s sacrament of marriage between a man and a woman.” (via CalMatters)

 

After taking the issue to Court, an appeals judge ruled that Miller’s policy violated the couple’s civil rights. Because the cake was a routinely made product — not a custom creation that could qualify as artistic self expression under the First Amendment, which has been used as a defense in similar cases — the Court found Miller’s refusal discriminatory. She can’t deny a couple a plain cake simply because it might be served at a same-sex wedding.

 

Related: Ex-clerk Kim Davis ordered to pay $100,000 to same-sex couple for violating their constitutional right to marry

 

In their opinon of the ruling, the Court wrote: “Despite that the underlying rationale for the policy is rooted in a sincerely held religious belief about marriage, held in good faith without ill will or malice, the policy nonetheless requires a distinction in service that is based solely on, and because of, the end users’ sexual orientation. The relevant and undisputed facts about the policy and its application here necessarily establish intentional discrimination.”

 

Miller’s lawyers plan to appeal to the state Supreme Court, but for now, justice has been served.

 

For the full slice – err, scoop – check out Jeanne Kuang’s article for CalMatters: California court rules against baker in revival of same-sex wedding cake disputes
 

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Same Sex Wedding Ideas & Inspiration

 

• 12 Fun Nontraditional Ideas for a Lesbian Wedding
   
• How to Officiate a Same-Sex Wedding Ceremony
   
• Same-Sex Wedding Ceremony Script with Unity Sand Ceremony
   

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Become an ordained minister online with American Marriage Ministries and officiate wedding for friends and relatives. (Photo: franckreporter / iStock)

 

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