Time for Trump - religious exclusions - Homosexuals hide behind law to abuse elderly female florist
In April 2013 Ferguson filed a consumer protection lawsuit against Barronelle Stutzman and her Richland, Washington floral shop Arlene's Flowers in response to a complaint by homosexuals Robert Ingersoll and his homosexual friend Curt Freed.
Ferguson claimed the business violated Washington's consumer protection law after Stutzman refused to provide flowers for the couple's immoral homosexual wedding.
The attorney general's office sent a letter to Stutzman informing her she was in violation of Washington State's Consumer Protection Act. A letter by Ferguson called for a penalty of $2,000 Dollars and to celebrate all same sex unions. Really to celebrate immoral; homosexual marriage is such an offense.
Stutzman sent back a reply that it was against her religious beliefs to do so.
The attorney general's office followed up with a phone call to Stutzman, giving her an opportunity to comply with the law, head off legal action, and avoid paying fees or costs. Stutzman responded with a letter from her lawyer. The move was criticized by Stutzman's lawyer, who stated Ferguson did not have the statutory authority to file the lawsuit and that it was uncertain whether or not it was a "clear case of discrimination".The engaged couple’s attorneys at the American Civil Liberties Union then sued the florist for damages.
The couple had been previous clients of Stutzman for nine years until they had requested her services for their wedding, which she refused to do based upon her religious view on same sex marriage. Stutzman filed a counter-suit, stating that Ferguson's lawsuit was an attempt to force her to violate her religious beliefs. Stutzman and her attorneys at the Alliance Defending Freedom requested that the lawsuit be dismissed, as they alleged that the suit didn't show that the couple had suffered any financial injury to their business or property. Judge Sal Mendoza Jr. ruled that the lawsuit could continue, as the time and travel spent traveling to Arlene's Flowers and finding another florist did count as financial injury.
On February 18, 2015, Benton County Superior Court Judge Alexander Ekstrom ruled she had violated the state's anti-discrimination law.[41] On February 19, 2015, Stutzman stated she would appeal the ruling.[42] On March 27, 2015, Judge Ekstrom ordered Stutzman to pay a $1,000 fine, plus $1 for court costs and fees.
On November 15, 2016, Ferguson personally argued at the Washington Supreme Court hearing, which was held before an audience in Bellevue College’s auditorium.[45] On February 16, 2017, the Washington Supreme Court ruled unanimously against the florist.[46] In the court’s opinion, Justice Sheryl Gordon McCloud wrote neither the U.S. Constitution’s Free Exercise Clause nor its Free Speech Clause gave the florist any right to refuse to participate in the wedding.
