Northern Ireland's Ashers Bakery, earlier this month found guilty of discrimination for refusing to bake a pro-gay marriage cake, is to appeal the court ruling
Northern Ireland's Ashers Bakery, earlier this month found guilty of discrimination for refusing to bake a pro-gay marriage cake, is to appeal the court ruling, reports Belfast Live.
The Northern Ireland Equality Commission brought the case against Ashers on behalf of Queer Space activist Gareth Lee who had requested a cake featuring Sesame Street puppets Bert and Ernie for a private function marking International Day Against Homophobia.
Ashers owners the McArthur family said in a statement:
“After much careful and prayerful consideration given to legal advice, we have decided to appeal the judgement handed down last Tuesday.
“We continue to insist that we have done nothing wrong as we have discriminated against no individual but rather acted according to what the Bible teaches regarding marriage.
“As many other people have already noted, Christian beliefs seem to have been trampled over in this judgement and we believe this only has negative effects for our society.
“Our hope and prayer would be that an appeal will allow us and other Christians to live out their faith in Jesus Christ in every part of their lives, including their workplace.”
The appeal is to be funded by the Christian Institute which last year released a video in support of the McArthurs.
OMG Tonight's ep of @TheGoodWife_CBS is about a bakery that refused to make wedding cake for a gay couple!!! Lol #AshersBakery
— Jedda Downey (@JeddaDowney) May 28, 2015
Simon Calvert of The Christian Institute said:
“I believe that most people think that this is a ruling that should be overturned. There has been such extraordinary support from people from all walks of life who are appalled by what has happened to the McArthur family.
“There is huge public support for an appeal and it is vitally important that the higher courts consider this issue.”
Watch the Christian Institute report on the case, AFTER THE JUMP…
