Final Verdict In Oregon Bakers Case Comes To $135,000 – Right Wing Furious Over ‘Gay Fascism Tax’

In the Sweet Cakes by Melissa anti-gay discrimination case, the final verdict has been handed down, and conservatives are apoplectic.

Aaron and Melissa Klein are right-wing martyrs held up by anti-gay groups and individuals as victims who supposedly lost their business and went bankrupt merely for observing their Christian faith.

In reality, they are the owners of the very much still in business Sweet Cakes by Melissa, an Oregon-based bakery that refused to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, in violation of that state’s nondiscrimination ordinance. Why? Because they refused to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, and that’s against the law.

By now, many people know that in 2013, Rachel Cryer and Laurel Bowman – now the Bowman-Cryers – tried to order a wedding cake from the Kleins. Aaron Klein, Melissa’s husband, refused, citing his religious beliefs.

The brides-to-be sued and in a long and drawn-out case, they won. 

The final judgment came down Thursday, and the Kleins are being fined $135,000.

The money shouldn’t be a problem for them. Franklin Graham has been hosting a fundraising campaign for them via his Samaritan’s Purse charity, and a GoFundMe campaign that pulled in reportedly about $60,000 after taxes before it was shut down. There is also another fundraising campaign via Continue To Give that’s taken in over $55,000. The Kleins via their Facebook page are promoting other fundraisers too, like one by the Lynchwood Church of God, and their P.O. box address for please who wish to send them cash or checks directly. 

Meanwhile, look at these headlines from right wing blogs:

Ore. Silences Bakers Who Refused to Make Cake for Lesbians

Happy Independence Day — Now Fork Over $135,000

Christian Bakers Fined, Gagged in Gay Cake Case

Bakery Owners Who Refused Lesbian Wedding Service Just Told What State Will Do To Them

Happy Independence Day: State of Oregon fines Christian bakers $135,000 over a wedding cake

Oregon’s Minister of Thoughtcrime orders bakery to pay $135,000 to ‘mentally raped’ lesbian couple, stay silent about beliefs

And these responses via Twitter:

The Kleins are appealing the decision.

Here are the Kleins last year at a Family Research Council Action conference, talking about their case:

 

Image: Screenshot via YouTube