February 23, 2015
Source: Shutterstock
THE ROSA PARKS OF HETEROSEXUAL FLORISTS?
Barronelle Stutzman“we don”t name them, we just report the names”is a 70-year-old woman in Washington State who risks losing her floral business because, citing her Christian beliefs, she refused to provide flowers for a gay wedding.
In 2013, a gay man who”d apparently frequented her shop for nine years and whom she considered a “friend” asked her to supply the flowers for his gay wedding. That’s where she drew the line, claiming that her “relationship with Jesus” would prevent her from knowingly endorsing such a sodomitical festivity.
Despite apparently being her “friends,” both gay men sued Stutzman for discrimination and won. A Washington judge recently offered Stutzman a relatively easy way out: She could fork over $2,001 to the court. Two thousand dollars is the standard fine for such a violation; the judge added the dollar to cover “fees.” She would also be required to never again decline to provide flowers for a gay wedding.
Stutzman refused. Her response to the state Attorney General included this passage:
Your offer reveals that you don”t really understand me or what this conflict is all about. It’s about freedom, not money. I certainly don”t relish the idea of losing my business, my home, and everything else that your lawsuit threatens to take from my family, but my freedom to honor God in doing what I do best is more important….Washington’s constitution guarantees us “freedom of conscience in all matters of religious sentiment.” I cannot sell that precious freedom.
No matter what the principle, it’s good to see someone acting on principle these days. And it’s not as if the world suffers a shortage of gay florists who”d be as thrilled as pink squirrels to provide any gay wedding with lavish bouquets that are fierce and absolutely to die for.
