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SweetCakes.jpg
Aaron Klein, who runs the bakery with his wife, says same-sex marriage goes against his Christian faith so he refused to make a wedding cake for the couple. Several weeks after the controversy started, he has no regrets. (Facebook photo of Sweet Cakes by Melissa)

No fine for Oregon baker who refused service to gay couple

March 20, 2013 @ 6:29 pm (Updated: 7:49 pm - 3/20/13 )

After all the fuss about an Oregon baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple, the state says there is "not an investigation into this issue."

The dispute involves a Portland woman, her fiancee and fiancee's mother. In February, the mom and one of the brides-to-be went to Sweet Cakes by Melissa in Gresham to order a wedding cake.

Aaron Klein, who runs the bakery with his wife, says same-sex marriage goes against his Christian faith so he would not make a wedding cake for the couple.

After that, the small bakery gained international attention with some supporting their decision and others abhorring it. Duff Goldman, of the Food Network show, "Ace of Cakes," offered to make cake for the Portland couple for free.

Goldman, who owns Charm City Cakes, also said he'd personally drive it up from Los Angeles and deliver it for their wedding.

Despite the concern and controversy, there likely will be no fine for the small bakery.

The Oregon Equality Act of 2007 expressly prohibits businesses from discriminating against customers on the basis of their sexual orientation.

An initial complaint was filed with the Oregon Department of Justice (their state's attorney general's office) fraud division, according to spokesman Jeff Manning. He says they get about 12,000 complaints a year about businesses in the state, but this incident doesn't fall under the regulations involving fraud.

They recommended it be turned over to the Bureau of Labor and Industries, which has a civil rights division responsible for employers in the state.

"We do not have a complaint filed against Sweet Cakes by Melissa so there's not an investigation into the issue," says Charlie Burr, a bureau spokesman.

It would seem a case that was never officially opened, is now closed.

The bakery owner says the rush of business they received from people who supported his position has slowed down, but they are busier than they'd normally be for this time of the year.

They still get a few phone calls denouncing their business, he says.

Klein has no regrets. He's determined to continue standing up for what he and his wife believe - marriage should be between a man and a woman.

"I'd do it all again," says Klein. "I am standing up for what I believe is right. I wouldn't change anything about what I did."

By LINDA THOMAS

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (60)


  • Add A Comment

  • Jeddite wrote...
    GOOD.
    March 20, 2013 8:06 pm
    ~ a dudesmoocher
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mavila wrote...
    Not at all surprising...
    March 20, 2013 8:46 pm
    Thanks for the update, Linda.

    I think the same essentially is true of the case in, I think it was, Colorado IIRC. No action taken there either.

    The law is a feel-good piece of pandering but it can't be enforced in a case like this if the business establishment declines to provide a product or service on religious grounds and there are readily available alternatives.

    Freedom of religious expression should trump this kind of case every time regardless of how you feel about the bakery owners, their faith, and their regard for homosexuals.

    Liberty does not come without costs as we've seen in the gun grabbing debates.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Played out just like it did in Colorado last fall
    March 20, 2013 8:48 pm
    Got a bakery?

    Business a little slow?

    Hire a friend to make a lot of noise claiming that you refused to make a cake for their "gay wedding"

    Do an extra $50,000 in business during the next two weeks, from all the folks who turn out to "support the guy standing on his principles"

    I'm not saying the guy paid this woman to run to the press and holler "discrimination", but if she hadn't done so his business would have been only a fraction of what it was during the last few weeks.

    So, if you've got a bakery and business is a little slow.........

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mavila wrote...
    Why would someone put themselves...
    March 21, 2013 4:47 am
    at risk of a fine and a costly appeal process? The extra business surely isn't worth it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Raymong wrote...
    Wow
    March 21, 2013 5:02 am
    Chuck, pretty cynical. You usually deal with the facts and not mere speculation, sup with that? If the guy was a real Christian whouldn't he have to deal with his spirit and that relationship he is supposed to have with his God. I know I would, even to conceive such an idea would bother me.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Raymong "If the guy was a real Christian..."
    March 21, 2013 6:54 am
    it's my guess he would follow the example set by Jesus of Nazareth. He would demonstrate a love for his neighbors, not because of their sins but despite their sins. If he were a real Christian, he might refrain from "casting stones" at people he considers sinners- as per the story of Jesus preventing the death of a woman accused of sexual misconduct.

    They asked him to bake a cake. Not perform the ceremony or pronounce the union blessed by God. That's if, indeed, there ever was a gay wedding being planned and this entire thing wasn't a copy-cat of the Colorado success story last fall.

    If he was a real Christian, he'd put as much emphasis on the God of Love in the New Testament as on the God of Judgment and Punishment in the old. He might even read Matthew 5:41

    But then again, that's merely my opinion. Those who believe it's the duty of "real Christians" to run around the world scolding and condemning folks who don't conform to their personal interpretation of the Bible of their own moral code are equally entitled to that version of reality.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleNative wrote...
    Oh Chuck
    March 21, 2013 8:38 am
    "Love the sinner, hate the sin."

    Jesus commanded his followers to minister to the imprisoned. He didn't say to condone their actions. Which is what this baker would be doing if he made them a cake for their ceremony.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Raymong wrote...
    I agree with
    March 21, 2013 9:54 am
    all that you say in your respose Chuck, I,as a Christian, would of made the cake without condemnation. That is between them and Christ, however if the oppertunity presented itself I might of loveingly spoke words of warning of the consequences of her life style. The opertive words here are " if the Oppertunity arose " I would not push Gods moral statutes on her they are written on the heart of every human being born into this world the choice is to ignore them or not. However, the bakary retains the right to refuse service and made the mistake of not being Christ like.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Raymong wrote...
    I should
    March 21, 2013 10:10 am
    also say in all honest Chuck, that I probably would not have decorated in any fasion that promoted thier life style.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • po_guy wrote...
    Awwwww, a pnother person who thinks Christianity is all love love love...
    March 21, 2013 11:09 am
    Just like when Jesus overturned the tables in the temple of those selling defective sacrifices at a profit, and then chased them out of the temple with a whip...yep LOVE them and go along wtiht them, right? Just like where it says that when God judges mankind, He will LAUGH AT THEIR CALAMITY!!! Yeah, just love everyone....and doesn't it say that if folks would not accept the Apostles they were to shakle the dust off their feet and that it would be pretty bad for those folks in the last day? Sure, Christ was just simply all love love love...NOT!!! He HATES AND DETESTS SIN, and that includes homosexuality.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ToldYa wrote...
    really
    March 21, 2013 3:02 pm
    please cite the scriptures...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • po_guy wrote...
    Yo are an idiot.
    March 21, 2013 5:50 am
    PLain and simple. I am THANKFUL there are still folks who will stand against the rainbow folks and stand for their faith. God WILL judge the abomination of homosexuality and it WILL be cast into the lake of fire. Have a great day.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DonVigo wrote...
    Yep, you're clearly the moral superior here...
    March 21, 2013 10:08 am
    Blindly insulting people with whom you disagree based upon your faith? You're a good one to be telling people where they'll go when they die with that blatant defiance of the faith you're abusing to serve your point of view... By the way, spell out "you" if you plan on calling someone else an idiot. Once again, doesn't reflect well upon you.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Cynical ?
    March 21, 2013 6:35 am
    cynical. .... another conspiracy theory in the making.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    "After all the fuss about an Oregon baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple, the state says there is "not an investigation into this issue."
    March 21, 2013 3:21 am
    But the media had a field day. Question, does the media report news or just create it?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mobeta wrote...
    I ordered a cake and will order more!!!
    March 21, 2013 4:57 am
    Keep your sexual issues to yourself! I don't care if you want to do your devious behavior or whatever but keep it to yourself. Your judgement will come later. It's a disgusting act and not natural and thinking about two guys together makes me puck. A man and woman seem to fit together quite nicely and for people to shove this down our throat is terrible.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Jeddite wrote...
    YOU DIDNT ORDER A CAKE.
    March 21, 2013 5:08 am
    Who do you think you're fooling?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mobeta wrote...
    Jeddite I did and it was great!
    March 21, 2013 4:08 pm
    Got the Kahlua Mudslide. It was delicious! Cost $35. I will order more and support a company that is their own and should be able to serve who they want. Suck it Jeddite you parasite!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • The Dude Abides wrote...
    Mobeta
    March 21, 2013 12:47 pm
    we all know you secretly wish for two dudes to shove this down your throat.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mobeta wrote...
    Dues, that's funny!
    March 21, 2013 4:10 pm
    You can shove whatever you want down your throat, sounds like you do anyway. Isn't that special? lol and I hope you choke on it! Too funny.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Keitho wrote...
    Whew
    March 21, 2013 5:58 am
    Chalk one up for the little guy
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DesertRez wrote...
    Right now
    March 21, 2013 6:02 am
    I just want a donut
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Americans shoot and SCORE!!!!!
    March 21, 2013 6:03 am
    Chalk another one up for the good guys!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • e233 wrote...
    Change the name to Christian Cakes
    March 21, 2013 6:57 am
    and it's all good...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Stevebo wrote...
    The only thing I might add Chuck...
    March 21, 2013 7:20 am
    Is that some might say (and I suspect that this is the stance of this baker) is that by making the cake, they are inherently endorsing the wedding.

    While I don't agree with the baker's stance on the matter, I can understand where the decision would come from.

    I still firmly believe that the business should have the right to make the decisions they make... and then face the free-market repercussions for it (if any).

    As mentioned already - it isn't as if there aren't a lot of other readily available options out there.

    I think this issue was overly politicized and hyped. In the end, it only seeks to hurt the credibility of homosexual rights in my mind when people cry "foul" where it is not really warranted and then try to "bully" out compliance...

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Stevebo,, we agree that the business should have a right to refuse service
    March 21, 2013 8:46 am
    We would disagree that refusing that service is a sterling example of Christianity in action.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Stevebo wrote...
    Certainly a fair enough point to make Chuck.
    March 21, 2013 10:45 am
    For the record, I would again want to clarify that I don't agree with or condone the Bakery's decision... just their right to make it.

    I suspect we're probably on the same page here.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • po_guy wrote...
    I FULLY endorse
    March 21, 2013 11:10 am
    the bakers decision, and THEIR RIGHT TO MAKE THE DECISION.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • crackers89 wrote...
    awesone
    March 21, 2013 6:58 pm
    point
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mavila wrote...
    If you consider, Chuck,...
    March 21, 2013 7:07 pm
    that maybe they are trying help provide salvation to the couple, it puts different light on it.

    On the other hand, maybe its an act to preserve their own salvation (the bakery owners).

    Either way, I think it can actually be interpreted as a "sterling example of Christianity in action" if you can view their action as an act of love vis-a-vis salvation.

    It may not be your interpretation of what constitutes a "sterling example", but you are not the ultimate arbiter of that.

    As they say, God works in mysterious ways.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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