• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

Anti-Gay Washington State Florist Appeals ‘Religious Freedom’ Case to SCOTUS, Wants to Join Anti-Gay Baker

Andy Towle July 17, 2017 Leave a Comment

As promised, Barronelle Stutzman, the Washington state florist who refused to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding because of her allegiance to Jesus has appealed her case to the U.S. Supreme Court, KUOW reports:

Attorneys for Arlene's Flowers and its owner Barronelle Stutzman filed an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court Friday. They want to join the upcoming argument involving a Colorado baker who refused to make a cake for a gay couple's wedding because of his religious beliefs about marriage.

The Arlene's Flowers case involved a florist who would not sell flowers for a gay wedding in Richland on the same principles. The Washington state Attorney General and the couple filed suit against the flower shop owner in 2013 for illegally discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation.

The state has prevailed at every level up to now.

Representing Stutzman, and also the Colorado baker, is the SPLC-designated hate group Alliance Defending Freedom, who heard a closed-door speech last week from Attorney General Jeff Sessions, promising them that new “religious freedom” guidance from the DOJ was coming soon.

ADF writes in a press release:

For more than four years, Barronelle has endured the litigation in this case with unwavering grace, humility, and faith – even as she faces losing everything she owns. Now she will take her last stand before the U.S. Supreme Court, asking it to preserve her religious freedom and her right not to be forced to speak a message about marriage that violates her beliefs.

It's hardly disputed that artistic expression, such as floral art, is speech. The Washington State Attorney General admitted as much. So, the real issue here is whether the state can compel her to speak a government-mandated message. The state claims that it has the right to do so – that it has the right to go after a 72-year-old grandmother for everything she owns just because what she believes does not fall in line with the state's political agenda.

But that is blatantly unconstitutional.

If the government can demand that we speak a certain message or be punished, that should concern us all. That puts not just Barronelle's freedom at stake, but everyone's.

So, we are asking the Supreme Court to uphold Barronelle's First Amendment rights.

Topics: Supreme Court, towleroad More Posts About: Alliance Defending Freedom, barronelle Stutzman, Religious Freedom

Related Posts
  • US high court asked to weigh in on trans athletes
  • All 9 Justices Said Tax-Funded Catholic Social Services Can Refuse LGBTQ Foster Couples? How Bad Is it? Kind of, But Complicated
  • Nine ‘Thumbs Up’ From Supreme Court Says Catholic Agency Can Turn Away Same-Sex Foster Parents, Cite 1st Amendment
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Mel B will “always be open” when it comes to her sexuality. The Spice Girls singer, 48, who reunited with her bandmates including the group's ex-singer Victoria Beckham for the fashion …Read More »
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Megan Thee Stallion is being sued for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and forcing her cameraman to watch her having lesbian sex. The 29-year-old ‘Savage' rapper faces the salacious claims …Read More »
  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jonathan Bennett's life was “changed forever” by his role in ‘Mean Girls'. The 42-year-old actor starred as heartthrob Aaron Samuels in the 2004 cult classic – which followed Lindsay Lohan, Rachel …Read More »
  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass a gift basket after he came out as gay. The 44-year-old NSYNC star revealed the legendary singer showed his support when Lance decided to reveal …Read More »
Previous Post: « Secret Service Denies Trump Lawyer’s Claim That Donald Jr. Meeting Was Vetted as Trump Squawks Again: WATCH
Next Post: Indonesia Bans Public Caning But Will Continue Punishments Away From Prying Eyes »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

    Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

  • Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

    Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

  • JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

    JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

  • Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

    Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

Partner Links

  • The QatarT Of The Deal
    Open thread below... read more
  • Panic Sets In: GOP Congressman Yells 'CBO Is Wrong!'
    Rep. Andy Barr, acting like a spoiled teenager, started a shouting […]
  • Brian Kilmeade Lies: Medicaid Recipients Do Not Receive Money
    Fox News host Brian Kilmeade repeated the often-used lies that Medicaid […]
  • Find out why sports icon Billie Jean King has been included in TIME100 Philanthropy 2025 list
    Time Magazine reporter Harry Booth in the Philanthropy 100 issue: How […]
  • Remains of the Day (05/21)
    Vanity Fair: Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor tell a heartbreaking love story […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Footer

Ptown Hacks 2018

Read

  • Travel
  • Film
  • Law – LGBT Rights
  • Columns
  • Specials

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in

×
×