Perfumania Dumps Trump

Another Money Beg For Oregon Bakers

First there was the GoFundMe drive, which generated $110K before it was pulled due to rules about raising money for those accused of breaking the law. Per the rules at that time, it appeared that the Kleins could keep what had been raised. Then Franklin Graham stepped in with Samaritan's Purse, a site that does not disclose amounts. And launched last night was a money beg on Continue To Give, "a faith-based giving platform." So far about $30K has been raised at Continue To Give.

OREGON: Final Ruling Says Anti-Gay Bakers Must Pay $135K To Gay Couple

Via Oregon Live:

Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian on Thursday ordered the owners of a former Gresham bakery to pay $135,000 in damages to a lesbian couple for refusing to make them a wedding cake. Avakian's ruling upheld a preliminary finding earlier this year that the owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa had discriminated against the women on the basis of their sexual orientation.

Bakery owners Melissa and Aaron Klein cited their Christian beliefs against same-sex marriage in denying service. The case ignited a long-running skirmish in the nation's culture wars, pitting civil rights advocates against religious freedom proponents who argued business owners should have the right to refuse services for gay and lesbian weddings.

Avakian's final order makes clear that serving potential customers equally trumps the Kleins' religious beliefs. Under Oregon law, businesses cannot discriminate or refuse service based on sexual orientation, just as they cannot turn customers away because of race, sex, disability, age or religion, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries said in a news release.

The Klein's say they will appeal. But they'll likely never have to pay a penny due to a GoFundMe-style campaign launched by Franklin Graham.

AFA Cheers Newly "Family Friendly" A&F

Via press release from the AFA:

Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) has been well known for using highly sexualized marketing techniques to lure young people into its stores...but that's all changed now that the company has ousted former CEO Michael Jefferies. After 13 years of AFA's campaigning against A&F's trashy catalogs, shirtless models and pornographic ads, the company has shed the tawdry image and is now making its stores family friendly. The company has turned up the lights, turned down the music and cut back on the level of colognes that shoppers are forced to breathe. "By the end of July, there will no longer be sexualized marketing used in marketing materials, including in-store photos, gift cards and shopping bags," Abercrombie said in a news release. A research of A&F's website, Facebook page and other social media images already show a refreshing change from just a month ago. Parents, and children alike, will find A&F's offerings respectable and decent. And...the malls just became a bit more comfortable to visit.

Also claiming victory is One Million Moms head Monica Cole: “The posters Abercrombie & Fitch used in their stores had nude models who just had their clothing strategically placed so nothing was seen, but the posters in general were obscene. These posters were removed after our voices were heard."

LOUISIANA: Bobby Jindal Issues Executive Order Legalizing Anti-Gay Discrimination

Earlier today a Louisiana House committee rejected the bill that would have legalized anti-gay discrimination. That rejection came after big business, including IBM, denounced the bill. Unswayed, Gov. Bobby Jindal has already followed through on his vow to issue an executive order that bypasses the state legislature. Dominic Holden reports on the reactions at Buzzfeed:

“This executive order falls into category of unnecessary, gratuitous and discriminatory,” Sainz told BuzzFeed News. “On the same day that Louisiana legislators had the good sense to turn back discrimination, Governor Jindal, who’s facing one of the lowest approval ratings in state history, decided to promote his presidential fortunes by championing ignorance. He’s on the wrong side of this issue and will no doubt be on the wrong side of history.” In contrast, Alliance Defending Freedom, which backs religious freedom laws, said in a statement to BuzzFeed News, “We are happy that Governor Jindal supports religious freedom and that nobody should be punished for believing that marriage is between one man and one woman.

The order cites Hobby Lobby. An excerpt:

SECTION 1: All departments, commissions, boards, agencies, and political subdivisions of the state are authorized and directed to take cognizance of the definition of “person” contained in La. R.S. 1:10 when complying with the Preservation of Religious Freedom Act (La. R.S. 13:5230-5242), the interpretation of the virtually identical federal law definition contained in 1 USC 1 by the United States Supreme Court in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby in its holding that the federal government is prohibited from requiring a “person” to act in contravention of a sincerely held religious belief, and that the definition of “person” includes individuals, non-profit, or for-profit corporations.

SECTION 2: All departments, commissions, boards, agencies, and political subdivisions of the state are authorized and directed to comply with the restrictions placed upon government action in the Preservation of Religious Freedom Act and, including more specifically, on the basis that such person acts in accordance with his religious belief that marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman, shall take no adverse action.

Freep This Northern Ireland Poll

Right here. (Tipped by JMG reader Nick)

NORTHERN IRELAND: Anti-Gay Bakery Found Guilty Of Discrimination

Not the best timing for Friday's referendum in the south. Via the Independent:

A Christian-owned bakery which refused to make a cake carrying a pro-gay marriage slogan has been found guilty of discrimination after a landmark legal action. The Northern Ireland Equality Commission brought the case against Ashers Baking Company on behalf of Gareth Lee, the gay rights activist whose order was declined. Giving her ruling at Belfast County Court today district judge Isobel Brownlie said: "The defendants have unlawfully discriminated against the plaintiff on grounds of sexual discrimination. "This is direct discrimination for which there can be no justification." Mr Lee, a member of the LGBT advocacy group Queer Space, had wanted a cake featuring Sesame Street puppets Bert and Ernie with the slogan Support Gay Marriage for a private function marking International Anti Homophobia Day. The high profile legal case, which divided public opinion in Belfast and beyond, was heard over three days in March.

More from the BBC:

John O'Doherty, of gay rights group the Rainbow Project, said: "While sympathetic as some may be to the position in which the company finds itself, this does not change the facts of the case. "The judge clearly articulated that this is direct discrimination for which there can be no justification." However DUP MLA Paul Givan, who has proposed that lawmakers in the Northern Ireland Assembly introduce a "conscience clause" as a result of the Ashers case, said many Christians would view the ruling as "an attack" on their religious convictions. "What we cannot have is a hierarchy of rights, and today there's a clear hierarchy being established that gay rights are more important than the rights of people to hold religious beliefs," Mr Givan added. Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister said it was "a dark day for justice and religious freedom in Northern Ireland".

(Tipped by JMG reader Gerard)

Maggie Gallagher: MARFAs Not RFRAs

"State RFRAs are bad vehicles for this fight, because they are broad and vague and their outcome is uncertain. It is very unlikely that a state RFRA will protect anyone from any gay equality wrath, precisely because courts uniformly view equality as a compelling interest, and because there is no way to make sure everyone gets treated equally while permitting some people to refuse to serve gay weddings. A better vehicle is some version of a Marriage and Religious Freedom Act (MARFA), which prevents governments from punishing individuals and small businesses for refusing to participate in a wedding they do not approve of. If you ask me, I would carve out an exception for race and leave it at that. The protection is narrow, but tight and clear; they can be crafted to be viewpoint neutral (meaning you can refuse Maggie’s wedding if you object to it, too). And they can be narrowed to apply to small businesses, so that the big corporations have no excuse to getting involved unless they want to be mean to the little guy." - Maggie Gallagher, writing for The Pulse. (Tipped by JMG reader CM)

FAO Schwarz To Close Flagship Store

Parent company Toys R Us has announced the coming closure of the FAO Schwarz flagship store on Fifth Avenue, which was immortalized in the Tom Hanks movie Big.

The toy store, which has been a staple in New York City for 145 years and was opened in 1870, is searching Manhattan for a new location to reopen its doors at a more affordable price, according to The NY Times. Until a new location opens, customers will have to rely on online shopping or the toy store's boutiques in Toys "R" Us, which owns F.A.O. Schwarz. "The company is committed to the F.A.O. Schwarz brand and growing its legacy," a Toys "R" Us representative said in a statement on Friday. The longstanding brand at one time had 40 stores nationwide, but the 5th Avenue landmark, in the General Motors Building, is the last remaining location.

RELATED: Two months ago Toys R Us also announced the January 2016 closure of its own flagship store in Times Square. That location became a hot tourist destination immediately upon its opening in 1999 due in part to its three-story Ferris wheel and 25-foot animatronic T-Rex. The Times Square location has hosted high-profile launches for many video games and movie-related merchandise. Replacement tenants for the 110,000 square foot space have not been revealed.

Rush Limbaugh Has Gay Cake Solution

"Let’s say that you own the ABC Wedding Cake Bakery. The only thing you do is you bake wedding cakes, and as such, militant gay activists target your bakery. They’re gonna take you out. They’re gonna take you down. They’re gonna walk in there, they’re gonna tell you they’re gonna get married, and of all the bakeries in the world, yours has been recommended to them because that’s all you do. Instead of telling the gay couple that you refuse bake the cake because you disapprove of homosexuality, you should now say you are not going to bake a cake for the gay wedding because you fear Muslim backlash. Or, due to your respect for Islam, you cannot bake a cake for a gay wedding. See how that flies. Don’t say anything about your religion. Don’t say anything about it’s your religion that prevents you from doing it. Say it this way. You respect Islam or you’re afraid of Muslim backlash. Why on the one hand do we respect their wishes when it comes to cartoon renderings of the prophet Muhammad and ignore their wishes and ignore what they claim upsets them and angers them when it comes to gay marriage?" - Rush Limbaugh, speaking yesterday on his radio show.

Whole Foods To Launch Discount Chain

Whole Foods yesterday announced that it will launch a discount subsidiary that will market to millennials.

"The store will be "unlike anything that currently exists in the marketplace," Walter Robb, co-CEO of Whole Foods, said in a release. But based off his description, it sounds pretty similar to Trader Joe's, which sells a curated selection of private-label foods at cheap prices. In describing the new store concept, Robb said, "Offering our industry-leading standards at value prices, this new format will feature a modern, streamlined design, innovative technology and a curated selection. It will deliver a convenient, transparent, and values-oriented experience geared toward millennial shoppers, while appealing to anyone looking for high-quality fresh food at great prices." The company said it is building a team solely to develop the stores and negotiate leases. It plans to launch them next year and expects a "rapid expansion" thereafter.

Whole Foods' stock value dropped 11% this week after the company reported lower than expected earnings.

KENTUCKY: Court Rules That Print Shop Can Refuse Gay Pride Messages

A rare win for Alliance Defending Freedom:

A Kentucky court ruled Monday that a Lexington printer is free to decline to print messages that conflict with his religious beliefs and that the government cannot force him to do otherwise. The Lexington-Fayette Urban Co unty Human Rights Commission ruled last year that Blaine Adamson of Hands On Originals must print messages that conflict with his faith on shirts that customers order from him. Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing Adamson appealed the ruling to the Fayette Circuit Court, which has now reversed the commission’s decision.  “The government can’t force citizens to surrender free-speech rights or religious freedom in order to run a small business, and this decision affirms that,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Jim Campbell, who argued before the court in Hands On Originals v. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission. “The court rightly recognized that the law protects Blaine’s decision not to print shirts with messages that conflict with his beliefs, and that no sufficient reason exists for the government to coerce Blaine to act against his conscience in this way.”

I'll update this post when local news covers the ruling.

UPDATE: From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

Fayette Circuit Judge James Ishmael issued a ruling Monday reversing the Lexington Human Rights Commission's 2014 decision that Hands On Originals violated Lexington's Fairness Ordinance. The ordinance, among other things, prohibits businesses from discriminating against people based on sexual orientation. Ray Sexton, executive director of the Lexington Human Rights Commission, said Monday that Ishmael's ruling is part of a continuing process. "We don't look at this as a loss," Sexton said Monday. "We look at it as a one-one tie right now."

The commission's board would consider its next step at a board meeting Monday evening, Sexton said. He said the board is likely to appeal Ishmael's decision. Ishmael's ruling "is nothing we weren't prepared for at the very beginning," Sexton said. Ishmael's ruling says that there is no evidence that Hands On Originals or its owners "refused to print the T-shirts in question based upon the sexual orientation of GLSA or its members or representatives. ... Rather, it is clear beyond dispute that (Hands On Originals) and its owners declined to print the T-shirts in question because of the message advocating sexual activity outside of a marriage between one man and one woman."

GEORGIA: Print Shop Refuses To Print Wedding Invitations For Lesbian Couple

Citing his religious beliefs, the owner of an AlphaGraphics print shop franchise in suburban Atlanta has refused to print wedding invitations for a lesbian couple. Via Atlanta's NBC affiliate:

Paige Beckwith says throughout her wedding planning process she has been open with vendors that there would be two brides on the wedding day. She says none of the vendors seemed to care, but him. Beckwith says she contacted the company after being referred by a friend. They were trying to go with a train theme. Their engagement photos, taken by Snap Shots By Allie, were on railroad tracks. Their reception would be at an old train depot in Lawrenceville. They wanted the invitations to look like a train ticket, so she needed a company that could design and print them. "The owner called me back and let me know that he's not going to print our invitations because he does not support same sex marriage," said Beckwith. "I kept asking him how, why, how he could do this? He just basically stood on his religious beliefs, referenced the Bible, called it a sin, and I was basically in tears saying how could you treat me this way?," she recalled.

The AlphaGraphics main office has denounced its franchisee and promised to print the invitations at no charge. They have also issued a statement:

We do not condone discrimination of any kind, and wish to make clear that customers of any race, religion, nationality, ethnicity or sexual orientation are welcome at our franchisees' locations nationwide. We also wish to apologize to the customers who were impacted by the actions of this franchisee, and hope that our response conveys the level of commitment we feel toward upholding our company's standards of inclusion, and that all members of the Suwanee community continue to feel welcome at AlphaGraphics.

Georgia does not protect LGBT residents from business discrimination. (Tipped by JMG reader Todd)

Fallout Begins For Michigan Car Shop

MICHIGAN: Christian Car Shop Owner Vows To Deny Service To Gay Customers

Via the Grand Rapids NBC affiliate:

The owner of a Grandville auto repair shop says he won’t hesitate “to refuse service to an openly gay person or persons.” Brian Klawiter, the owner of Dieseltec on Ottawa Avenue in Grandville, posted the statement to his company’s Facebook page on Tuesday because he says the voices of those who have Christian, conservative values are often overshadowed by those who do not. “I want to have a voice about this,” Klawiter told 24 Hour News 8 Wednesday. “I want to be heard about this. It’s challenging to decide to say I’m on the opposing side of what’s seen as the popular view.” The line that’s drawing the most conversation is the one that addresses “openly gay” individuals. “I would not hesitate to refuse service to an openly gay person or persons. Homosexuality is wrong, period,” Klawiter wrote. “If you want to argue this fact with me then I will put your vehicle together with all bolts and no nuts and you can see how that works.”

The Facebook post is here.

UPDATE: Here's the latest post on his Facebook page:

Listen up folks, If you have an opposing view to mine that IS OK, what is NOT OK is threats to kill me, my family, and friends; threats to burn down my shop and my home. I will stand firm on my views and will not back down, however, because of the ridiculous backlash I am requesting any supporters of ours that would be willing to stand with us to help secure my home and business. (There also seems to be a TON of confusion about one of my comments, the bolt and nut thing was a reference to physiology, bolt penis and nut vagina. I DID NOT threaten to purposely put a vehicle together wrong to harm someone.)

Levi Strauss & Gap Denounce Indiana

From a joint statement posted last night to the corporate blog of the Gap:

Today Gap Inc. and Levi Strauss & Co. are calling on retail and apparel companies, and other businesses, to join us in speaking out against legalized discrimination. Both of our companies have a long history of standing up for equal rights and equal opportunity for all. We have consistently spoken out against discrimination and unequal treatment based on race, sex or sexual orientation. As Indiana, Arkansas, and states around the country enact and consider legislation that perpetuates discrimination, we’re urging State Legislatures to stand up for equality by repealing and voting against these discriminatory laws. These new laws and legislation, that allow people and businesses to deny service to people based on their sexual orientation, turn back the clock on equality and foster a culture of intolerance. Discriminatory laws are unquestionably bad for business, but more importantly, they are fundamentally wrong. They must be stopped. At Gap Inc. and Levi Strauss & Co., we are proud to say we are open to business for everyone.

(Tipped by JMG reader Dan)

INDIANA: Gov. Mike Pence Promises New Bill To "Clarify Intent" Of Anti-LGBT License To Discriminate Law

Via the Indianapolis Star:

Gov. Mike Pence, scorched by a fast-spreading political firestorm, told The Star on Saturday that he will support the introduction of legislation to “clarify” that Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act does not promote discrimination against gays and lesbians. “I support religious liberty, and I support this law,” Pence said in an exclusive interview. “But we are in discussions with legislative leaders this weekend to see if there’s a way to clarify the intent of the law.” The governor, although not ready to provide details on what the new bill will say, said he expects the legislation to be introduced into the General Assembly this coming week. Asked if that legislation might include making gay and lesbian Hoosiers a protected legal class, Pence said, “That’s not on my agenda.” Amid the deepest crisis of his political career, Pence said repeatedly that the intense blowback against the new law is the result of a “misunderstanding driven by misinformation.” He adamantly insisted that RFRA will not open the door to state-sanctioned discrimination against gays and lesbians. But he did acknowledge that Indiana’s image — and potentially its economic health — has been hurt badly by the controversy.

Chad Griffin is calling bullshit.

UPDATE: Freedom Indiana reacts in similar fashion.

Governor Pence didn't listen last week when he signed this discriminatory law into effect, and he's still not listening to the growing chorus of criticism locally and nationally. While we appreciate his recognition that he's placed our state in peril, he's obviously trying to have it both ways. You can't 'clarify' discrimination. Indiana now has billions of dollars and thousands of jobs on the line, all because the Governor wouldn't stop this dangerous bill. He has a second chance to save our reputation for Hoosier hospitality, but he has to stand up and protect LGBT Hoosiers. Discrimination is not a core Hoosier value, and we can't afford to let our state continue to suffer. Please, Governor, listen to the voices of common sense and reason trying to get through to you. Fix the bill to protect all Hoosiers, and make it clear our state is open for business again.

WASHINGTON: Court Fines Anti-Gay Florist $1000, Gives Her 60 Days To Pay

Via the Associated Press:

A Washington state florist who refused to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding was fined $1,000 Friday, plus $1 for court costs and fees. Benton County Superior Judge Alexander Ekstrom's ruling gives Barronelle Stutzman, owner of Arlene's Flowers and Gifts in Richland, Washington, 60 days to pay the state for her refusal to serve Robert Ingersoll and Curt Freed when they sought to buy wedding flowers in 2013. Attorney General Bob Ferguson, whose office requested the fine, said in a statement Friday that the ruling is a reminder of the reach of Washington's anti-discrimination laws. "My primary goal has always been to end illegal discrimination," Ferguson said. "I'm pleased that today's ruling clearly prohibits discrimination against same-sex couples." Before Ferguson's office filed the consumer-protection lawsuit against Stutzman, it had sent her a letter asking for an agreement to no longer discriminate, which she refused. Ferguson's statement Friday said the office would not have sued if Stutzman had accepted the agreement.

The judge also ruled that the gay couple is entitled to damages, but he reserved setting that amount until the appeals process runs its course. The Alliance Defending Freedom is very upset. Via World Net Daily:

Kristen Waggoner, ADF senior counsel, said the award to Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson boils down to a government threat to Christians: “Surrender your religious liberty and free speech rights, or face personal and professional ruin.” Waggoner said the judgment Friday “affirms the court’s earlier decision that Barronelle must pay a penalty for her faith and surrender her freedom and conscience.”

“The penalty and fees imposed today are only the first punch,” Waggoner said. “The ACLU, on behalf of the same-sex couple also suing Barronelle, has asked the court to award them penalties, fees, and costs, which will financially devastate Barronelle’s business and personal assets – including taking this 70-year old grandmother’s retirement and personal savings. The message sent by the attorney general and the ACLU to the people of Washington is quite clear: surrender your religious liberty and free speech rights, or face personal and professional ruin.”

WND reported earlier when the state offered to settle its case for $2,001, but Stutzman rejected the offer out of hand. That was after Ekstrom authorized the state and the homosexual plaintiffs to pursue the business and personal assets of Stutzman, including her home, savings and retirement, in payment of damages and attorneys’ fees.

INDIANA: Governor Mike Pence Signs Anti-Gay License To Discriminate Bill

Pence has issued a press release:

Today I signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, because I support the freedom of religion for every Hoosier of every faith. The Constitution of the United States and the Indiana Constitution both provide strong recognition of the freedom of religion but today, many people of faith feel their religious liberty is under attack by government action. One need look no further than the recent litigation concerning the Affordable Care Act. A private business and our own University of Notre Dame had to file lawsuits challenging provisions that required them to offer insurance coverage in violation of their religious views. [snip]

This bill is not about discrimination, and if I thought it legalized discrimination in any way in Indiana, I would have vetoed it. In fact, it does not even apply to disputes between private parties unless government action is involved. For more than twenty years, the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act has never undermined our nation’s anti-discrimination laws, and it will not in Indiana. Indiana is rightly celebrated for the hospitality, generosity, tolerance, and values of our people, and that will never change. Faith and religion are important values to millions of Hoosiers and with the passage of this legislation, we ensure that Indiana will continue to be a place where we respect freedom of religion and make certain that government action will always be subject to the highest level of scrutiny that respects the religious beliefs of every Hoosier of every faith.”

Pence does not identify the nuns and monks seen flanking him in today's "private signing ceremony."

NORTHERN IRELAND: Trial Begins For Baker In Marriage Cake Case

Via the Belfast Telegraph:

A legal case involving a Christian baker who refused to make a cake bearing a pro-gay marriage slogan cannot be determined on which side shouts loudest, a court in Belfast has been told. Northern Ireland's Equality Commission is bringing the case against family-run Ashers Bakery on behalf of gay rights activist Gareth Lee, whose order was declined. Belfast-based Ashers, which is owned by the McArthur family, refused to make a cake with an image of Sesame Street puppets Bert and Ernie below the motto "Support Gay Marriage". Opening the case, Robin Allen QC, representing Mr Lee, noted the publicity around the case and highlighted that politicians, church figures, bloggers and others had expressed opinions on the matter. But the barrister insisted the case must be judged on the facts alone. "Law must not be determined by those who shout loudest," he said. Mr. Allen said he was not in court to challenge the McArthur family's faith. "This is a case about commerce and discrimination," he said.

Outside the courthouse, the baker (photo above) told the press: "We just didn't want to be forced to use our creative skills to help endorse and promote a campaign message that went against our sincerely held religious beliefs. We are just trying to be faithful to the Bible." (I wonder where they came up with "sincerely held religious beliefs.") The cake flap has prompted the Democratic Unionists party to propose a "conscience clause" bill that would allow businesses to reject LGBT customers. Sinn Fein has vowed to block that bill. The anti-gay Christian Institute is pushing a similar bill in England. The BBC is tweeting from the courthouse and live updates are being added to the above-linked story.

RELATED: Northern Ireland remains the United Kingdom's holdout on same-sex marriage and observers believe this case may further slow the cause.