Oregon bakery pays fine for discriminating against lesbian couple
But the Kleins, the owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa, are continuing to appeal their case
The owners of the Oregon bakery at the center of a prominent LGBT discrimination case have paid a fine, plus interest, that was levied against them for refusing to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian couple.
In July, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries ordered Aaron and Melissa Klein, who own the Sweet Cakes by Melissa bakery in Gresham, Ore., to pay $135,000 in damages to Laurel and Rachel Bowman-Cryer for discriminating against them when the Kleins refused to bake them a wedding cake in January 2013.
But Aaron Klein has apparently changed tactics. While the Kleins initially refused to comply with the order from the Bureau of Labor and Industries, on Monday, Aaron Klein handed over a check for $136,927.07, an amount that includes accrued interest, Willamette Week reports. That check will be held in escrow while the Kleins appeal their case to the Oregon Court of Appeals. The Kleins hope that they will be able to recoup the money if they win their appeal.
According to the Kleins, baking a cake for a lesbian wedding violates their personal religious beliefs. But Oregon law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in public accommodations, the category under which the bakery falls.
The Kleins are also flush with extra cash which could be used to pay the fine after raising more than $517,000 from fellow social conservatives and people who oppose LGBT rights via various crowdsourcing websites.
In a statement, the couple’s lawyer, Tyler Smith, reiterated that presenting the check to the Bureau of Labor and Industries does not mean the bakery is giving up on its appeal.
“Aaron and Melissa Klein are devoted to honoring God in every aspect of their lives, including how they conduct themselves in this litigation,” Smith said. “Oregon law requires that as they appeal the Oregon government’s decision denying them their First Amendment rights, they must either pay the amount imposed by the Oregon government, or obtain a bond for the amount of the judgment. The least expensive option to stay in compliance with the law was to pay the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries funds that will be kept in a separate account until they prevail in their court appeal.”
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