Washington State's top court rules for a second time against a Christian florist who refused gay wedding
Curt Freed, left, and his husband Robert Ingersoll pose for a photo after a hearing before Washington's Supreme Court, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016, in Bellevue, Washington.Washington state’s top court ruled for a second time on Thursday that a Christian florist discriminated against a same-sex couple by refusing to sell them flowers for their wedding, setting up a potential clash over gay and religious rights at the U.S. Supreme Court.
In a unanimous decision, the Washington Supreme Court’s nine justices said that Barronelle Stutzman, owner of Arlene’s Flowers in Richland, Washington, violated a state anti-discrimination law by refusing service to Robert Ingersoll and Curt Freed, for their marriage in 2013. Barronelle Stutzman, center, a Richland, Washington, florist who was fined for denying service to a gay couple in 2013, looks around as she is surrounded by supporters after a hearing before Washington's Supreme Court on Nov. 15, 2016, in Bellevue, Washington.Stutzman, a member of the Southern Baptist denomination, believes that marriage should be exclusively between a man and a woman. Her lawyers vowed an immediate appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The state court previously ruled against Stutzman in 2017, but was ordered to reconsider the case after the nation’s highest court last year sided with a Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for two men, citing religious beliefs. That ruling was narrow and did not resolve the constitutional issues raised, instead finding that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission did not handle the case appropriately.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Washington state Supreme Court rules against florist in same-sex wedding caseThe Washington state Supreme Court on Thursday ruled against a florist who declined to make an arrangement for the wedding of a same-sex couple.
Read more »
Court Upholds Ruling Against Washington Florist Who Refused To Serve Gay CoupleState judges did not act with religious animus when weighing the Arlene's Flowers case, the Washington Supreme Court held.
Read more »
Denying gay spousal benefits unlawful, Hong Kong court rulesThe ruling was hailed as a major step forward for LGBTQ equality in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.
Read more »
U.S. House Democrats move to fight Trump's stonewalling in courtU.S. congressional Democrats moved closer on Thursday to suing in federal court for access to the unredacted Mueller report on Russian election meddling, and its underlying evidence, taking a step bound to intensify their clash with President Donald Trump. After months of stonewalling by Trump of their
Read more »
House Dems To Make It Easier To Find Trump Aides In Contempt, Bring Them To CourtThe House will also more forward with enforcing subpoenas against Attorney General William Barr and ex-White House counsel Don McGahn.
Read more »