Celebrating 41 Years! Issue 8 Volume 43
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Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Richland florist violated law, judge says Businesses must serve LGBT customers
ROBERT INGERSOLL (I) AND CURT FREE – REUTERS
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A Benton County Superior Court judge ruled on February 18 that a Richland florist violated the state’s Consumer Protection Act by refusing to provide flowers for a Gay wedding in 2013. Baronelle Stutzman, owner of Arlene’s
Flowers in Richland, said it was against her religion to sell floral arrangements to Robert Ingersoll and his husband-to-be Curt Freed, even though Ingersoll was a regular customer of her business. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson then sent a letter to Stutzman advising her that she had violated the state’s consumer protection laws, which forbid discrimination on the basis of sexual orienta-
tion among other things. Had Stutzman agreed that she would no longer discriminate against LGBT customers, the Attorney General’s Office would not have filed suit, Ferguson said in a statement, and Stutzman would not have paid any costs, fees, or penalties. Stutzman, however, said her First Amendment religious freedom rights would be violated if she was forced to sell flowers
for a same-sex wedding. Consequently, the attorney general’s office filed suit against her in April 2013. Superior Court Judge Alex Ekstrom agreed with Ferguson’s analysis in granting a motion for summary judgment against the florist. The case will now not go to trial. Ekstrom had previously ruled that the state and the plaintiff may collect damages both from Stutzman’s business and from her personal assets, so the summary judgment means she faces significant penalties. “The law is clear: If you choose to provide a service to couples of the opposite sex, you must provide the same service to samesex couples,” Attorney General Bob Ferguson said. “Washingtonians have enacted laws recognizing equality for same-sex couples, and I will continue to vigorously uphold these laws. I appreciate the judge’s decision and am very proud of my team’s hard work to stop this unlawful discrimination.” The ACLU of Washington celebrated the ruling, saying it shows that religious beliefs cannot be used to justify discrimination. “Religious freedom is a fundamental part of America. But religious beliefs do not give any of us a right to ignore the law or to harm others because of who they are. When gay people go to a business, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against,” said Sarah Dunne, ACLU of Washington Legal Director.
Tough words from Seattle Police Union president to cops
Texas courts allow one same-sex marriage, block the rest
tainly, tired of it happening, tired of nothing being done about it, and above all – tired of the Seattle Police Union defending them. A police force is a constituted body of persons empowered by the state to enforce the law, protect property, and limit civil disorder. Cops are paid through taxes. The police force is supposed to be made up of individuals that are, in fact, members of the very communities in which they police. While some corruption is expected, it is also the expectation of the public that bad apples be dealt with swiftly and with a heavy hand. After all, most people believe that the worst people who break laws are those who took an oath to uphold laws. Nobody is supposed to be above the law – especially the people we entrust to enforce it. So it is unfortunate that, in Seattle, officers that should be fired, aren’t fired, and officers that should be brought up on charges SPOG President Ron Smith – seattletimes.com for everything from violating someone’s civby Shaun Knittel il rights to corruption, aren’t charged with a SGN Associate Editor damn thing. In some cases these officers are promoted. They are “spoken to” by a superI know I’m not the only one that thinks, visor – again and again and again. They are “Why did this person become a cop in the sent home, with pay, while internal investifirst place” whenever I read about or see on gations are performed and nothing ever rethe news yet another officer from the Seattle Police Department under fire for bias policing. It is tiresome. And people are, most cersee tough words page 3
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A Texas district judge allowed one Lesbian couple to marry February 18, but just hours later the state Supreme Court ordered a halt to all other same-sex marriages. Judge David Wahlberg ordered Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir to issue a marriage license for Sarah Goodfriend and Suzanne Bryant. The two were married by Rabbi Kerry Baker immediately afterward, in front of the county clerk’s office. Goodfriend and Bryant had been together 31 years, and had been denied a marriage license when they applied eight years ago. They have two teenage daughters, Dawn and Ting. The Texas ban on same-sex marriage has been invalidated by a federal court, but that decision has been stayed pending a hearing by the Fifth Circuit Court or a final decision
on marriage by the U.S. Supreme Court. Wahlberg issued the license to Goodfriend and Bryant, after consulting with Travis County Attorney David Escamilla, because one of the couple has cancer and may not live to see the issue finally resolved. According to Burnt Orange Report, a local Gay publication, the marriage cannot be invalidated under state law without the consent of the spouses. Nevertheless, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton told The Associated Press he is seeking to void the marriage, but did not offer any further explanation. The Texas Supreme Court also intervened with an emergency order blocking any further same-sex marriage licenses. That order does not affect the GoodfriendBryant marriage, but it will prevent other couples from marrying, even if they have similar health issues. Texas voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional ban on Gay marriage in 2005.
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