Sweet Cakes by Melissa’s Owners Say Fine for Rejecting Lesbian Couple Will Leave Them Bankrupt
More: Sweet Cakes by Melissa’s Owners Say Fine for Rejecting Lesbian Couple Will Leave Them Bankrupt
The owners of an Oregon bakery that made national headlines last year after turning away a pair of lesbian brides-to-be are now facing a fine of up to $150,000, which could reportedly leave them bankrupt.
Speaking at the conservative Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C., Sweet Cakes by Melissa owners Aaron and Melissa Klein told The Daily Signal that such a fine would “definitely” be enough to bankrupt the couple and their five children.
“Ironically, the state was in violation of its own anti-discrimination laws,” Aaron Klein told the publication, pointing to the fact that federal judge didn’t strike down Oregon’s voter-approved ban on gay marriage until May 2014, well after the cake controversy.
He also said he and his wife will appeal after the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries determined that “substantial evidence” proved the Kleins had violated the lesbian couple’s civil rights by refusing to make the cake.
Added Melissa Klein: “It’s definitely impacted us pretty hard financially, and it’s been a little stressful, but…we have the Lord and so He’s been keeping us strong.”
Meanwhile, the Kleins shared a Rick Warren passage on Facebook after C-SPAN footage of Melissa’s emotional appearance at the Value Voters Summit went viral earlier this week.
Meanwhile they’re scraping by, making cakes for homophobic events.
