‘Gay cake’ Christian bakery launches appeal against discrimination ruling
The Christian-run bakery that was fined for refusing to bake a cake with a pro-gay marriage is launching a court appeal in Belfast.
Ashers Baking Company copped a £500 fine last May after a Belfast court found Gareth Lee had been discriminated against on the grounds of his sexual orientation. After Lee ordered a sponge cake featuring Sesame Street character’s Bert and Ernie, alongside a message in support of marriage equality, the bakery refused to complete the request, saying it “was at odds” with their beliefs.
Providing legal representation for Lee during the case was the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, who paid almost £39,000 in legal fees.
The judge ruled last May that Ashers had discriminated against Lee on his sexual orientation and his political beliefs.
But after “after much careful and prayerful consideration”, the McArthur family who operate the bakery, have decided to appeal the decision, with a court date set to commence today (February 3).
“We continue to insist that we have done nothing wrong as we have discriminated against no individual, but rather acted according to what the Bible teaches regarding marriage,” they said.
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