MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Oregon bakery forced to close following pressure from gay rights activists

Sep 3, 2013, 6:11 AM | Updated: 10:04 am

The Klein’s said they refused to bake the wedding cake for the gay couple because their relig...

The Klein's said they refused to bake the wedding cake for the gay couple because their religious beliefs prevent them from participating in a same-sex marriage. (AP Photo/File)

(AP Photo/File)

A Portland area bakery that came under fire for refusing to provide a cake for a same-sex wedding is waving the white flag.

Sweet Cakes by Melissa closed its doors in Gresham and the owners are moving it back into their home where it started.

Aaron and Melissa Klein say their business is down more than 50 percent, and they are tired of being targeted by gay rights activists.

“There’s a lot of closed minded people out there,” said Aaron Klein. “They would like to pretend to be very tolerant and just want equal rights, but on the other hand, they’ve been very, very mean-spirited. They’ve been militant. The best way I can describe it is they’ve used Mafia tactics against the business.”

According to the Kleins, activists have been targeting their vendors and customers telling them to avoid Sweet Cakes or face being shut down.

“There was a group of people, I don’t know who these people were, that called and emailed and harassed a lot of our vendors to the point where they had to take us off. A lot of them stopped referring us because of it,” explained Melissa Klein.

The Kleins said they refused to bake the wedding cake for the gay couple because their religious beliefs prevent them from participating in a same-sex marriage.

Melissa Klein told KATU TV, “I am who I am, and I want to live my life the way I want to live my life. I choose to serve God and I believe in the Bible and I believe what it says. I want to live by that.”

The sign on their now vacant store reads, “This is ridiculous that we cannot practice our faith.”

“I’m not the type where I want to shove it down anyone else’s throat or anything like that, so I guess I would hope to have the same respect that things don’t have to be shoved on me and force me to do something I don’t want to do,” said Melissa Klein.

Aaron Klein said the couple will continue to fight for their rights and push for religious freedom.

“I hope that if nothing else that we’ve given other people, who believe what we believe, the strength to stand up. I believe that we’re living in a time that’s very hostile towards Christians. Our first amendment rights are being stripped away and I’m will to stand up and take this fight.”

The Kleins said there are plenty of people who support their side of this issue and support continues to give them strength.

The State of Oregon is looking into whether the Kleins broke the law by refusing to provide the cake.

Oregon law is much more specific than Washington’s on this issue. It does not allow any business to deny service based on sexual orientation.

There is an exemption for religious organizations and schools, but not private businesses.

The Kleins hope to have their in-home bakery up and running by next week.

MyNorthwest News

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

9 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

10 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

11 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

11 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

12 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

15 hours ago

Oregon bakery forced to close following pressure from gay rights activists