PHOENIX — A Republican representative from Arizona has introduced a bill that seeks to protect the rights of religious business owners to refuse to facilitate acts that violate their faith. Senator Steve Yarbrough (R-Chandler) recently presented SB 1062 to the Senate Government and Environment Committee, which approved the legislation to move forward to the full […]
PORTLAND — State investigators in Oregon have concluded that a bakery run by a Christian couple unlawfully discriminated against a lesbian last year when it declined to make a ‘wedding’ cake for her same-sex ceremony. As previously reported, Aaron and Melissa Klein operate Sweet Cakes by Melissa in Gresham, which is now operated from the […]
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court has set a date for oral argument surrounding Hobby Lobby’s challenge to the abortion pill mandate in Obamacare, as well as a suit filed by a Mennonite-owned kitchen cabinet company. As previously reported, the court announced in November that it had agreed to hear two cases: Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, […]
DENVER — Attorneys for a Christian baker who was ordered to make cakes for same-sex ceremonies or face fines has filed an appeal in hopes of regaining his right to practice his religion at his business without fear of punishment. As previously reported, Dave Mullin and Charlie Craig visited Masterpiece Cake Shop in Lakewood, Colorado in […]
WASHINGTON — Eight state attorneys general, along with 18 wedding photographers, have filed amicus briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of a Christian photographer that is fighting for the right to decline photo shoots that violate her faith. As previously reported, Elane Huguenin and her husband Jon run Elane Photography in Albuquerque. In 2006, […]
DENVER — A woman in Colorado has filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Division, alleging that her supervisor forced her to attend a lunch-hour Bible study against her will. The twice-a-week Bible studies were held by Norma Lawanson of the Office of Professional Services and Educator Licensure at the Colorado Department of Education. Theresa […]
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — A waitress in New Jersey has been fired after an investigation into claims that she doctored a customer’s receipt and forged a note in an attempt to make it look like they refused to tip her because of her homosexuality. As previously reported, Dayna Morales, a server at Gallop Asian Bistro, posted […]
SHREVEPORT, La. — Shreveport City Council is expected to vote on Tuesday on a proposal that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to its list of protected classes. While Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover signed an executive order in 2009 declaring protections for all city employees who are homosexual or transgender, the proposed Fairness Ordinance […]
DENVER — An administrative law judge with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission has ordered a baker to make cakes for clients who request service for same-sex ceremonies, despite his Christian beliefs not to partake in another man’s sins. “Respondents have no free speech right to refuse because they were only asked to bake a cake, […]
LAKEWOOD, Colo. — An administrative judge with Colorado’s Human Rights Commission heard argument this week in a case considering whether a baker must violate his Christian faith while operating his business. As previously reported, Dave Mullin and Charlie Craig visited Masterpiece Cake Shop in Lakewood in July 2012 to look for options for their upcoming same-sex […]