ACLU suing Kennewick florist who refused to sell to gays
Apr 18, 2013, 9:35 AM | Updated: 11:27 am
The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington is suing the Tri-Cities florist who refused to sell flowers for a gay couple's wedding. (MyNorthwest.com Photo/Alyssa Kleven)
(MyNorthwest.com Photo/Alyssa Kleven)
The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington is suing the Tri-Cities florist who refused to sell flowers for a gay couple’s wedding. The lawsuit claims Arlene’s Flowers is violating state law which prohibits discrimination because of sexual orientation.
“They were very hurt by what happened to them and they want to make sure this doesn’t happen to other people in the future,” says ACLU spokesperson Doug Honig.
The lawsuit, on behalf of Curt Freed and Robert Ingersoll, of Richland, demands an end to the discrimination, an apology published in the Tri-City Herald and a $5,000 donation to the Vista Youth Center in Kennewick.
Ingersoll and Flood had done business with the flower shop several times, according to the ACLU. When Ingersoll approached the florist on March 1 to arrange flowers for a September wedding, he was told the shop denied service based on religious convictions.
Last week, the state Attorney General filed a consumer protection lawsuit against the Richland flower and gift shop.
“The principle is very simple and straight forward under our state discrimination law,” says Honig. “A business open to the general public has to sell its goods and services to everybody on an equal basis. It can’t discriminate because of the religious views of the owner.”
Honig says the court will decide damages.
