PENNSYLVANIA: Bakery Owner Refuses Gay Couple After "Talking To Jesus"

Yet another Pennsylvania business has legally refused to serve a gay couple.

Growing up in Schuylkill Haven, Jennifer and Bethany Petrich, said they were very familiar with the Cake Pros bakery. That's why when the two were planning a ceremony to renew their vows the bakery seemed like an obvious choice to supply the cake. "My mom, who is planning our wedding, called and made the appointment for us," Jennifer said. "It was okay at that time and and she was open and honest and said it's for Bethany and Jennifer." A call to Jennifer's mom, while Jennifer was in the hospital, changed their plans.

"They had called and said to her they were a christian bakery and the owner talked to Jesus for two weeks," Jennifer said. "And that because it was two females getting married she couldn't bake our cake." The couple took to Facebook to let everyone know about their story. After they shared their story the bakery got a lot of added attention.

Lorraine Fleming, the owner of Cake Pros, told Eyewitness News that employees of the store have been harassed. "I'm sorry for the damage that has been done as far as hurt feelings," Fleming Fleming told Eyewitness News it was a tough decision since she has gay people in her family. She said it was a religious choice and she stands by her decision. "I'm not sorry for my decision and I feel strong," she said. "I know that I'm doing the right thing." Fleming said she doesn't plan to change her decision.

Pennsylvania is one of 29 states without statewide public accommodation protections for LGBT citizens. A bill to correct that remains pending in the state legislature. (Tipped by JMG reader Rob)