Did a California Bakery Just Refuse to Make Wedding Cakes for 3 Same-Sex Couples – On the Same Day?

‘We’re Christians, We Love Everyone’ Baker Says, but Adds, ‘I Don’t Feel That I Should Be Picked on Because of My Beliefs’

A California bakery is under fire after refusing to sell a wedding cake to a same-sex couple, and people on social media are outraged. But did the bakery refuse three same-sex couples – all on the same day?

On Saturday, Sam Salazar posted his experience to Facebook.

“Tastries Bakery… so we just went with some friends to do a cake tasting for a wedding cake and we were referred to another bakery. Apparently they don’t ‘believe’ in same sex marriage, so they refused to make the cake. I’m not even sure how to react or feel right now. So just be aware if you choose to spend your money there.”

Later that day, a local ABC News affiliate talked with the bakery owner, confirming that she had declined to sell a same-sex couple a wedding cake.

“A couple come in, and they were same-sex marriage, so I let them try the cupcakes, and we visited, and I started with them that a friend of mine who owns, actually, a competitor bakery, but does an awesome job – I would call her and make an appointment because I don’t do same-sex marriage cakes,” Tastries owner Cathy Miller told ABC 23/KERO in Bakersfield.

“We’re Christians, we love everyone, God created everyone, we love everyone – doesn’t matter the color, whatever. Everyone is God’s creation and I love everyone. But there’s certain things that violate my conscience, and my conscience will not allow me to participate in things that I feel are wrong. And most of that’s based on Scripture.”

“I don’t feel that I should be picked on because of my beliefs,” Miller added.

Raw Story adds Miller said: “Our business is God’s business, we work for him. Participating in the celebration of a same-sex marriage goes against my conscience.”

In an opinion piece at the Visalia Times-Delta, a California USA Today affiliate, a second same-sex couple was also reportedly refused, that same day.

“On Saturday, August 26, 2017, a gay couple was refused service by Cathy Miller, owner of Bakersfield’s Tastries Bakery,” writes Jim Reeves. “Ted and Adam had an appointment to choose and order a wedding cake. They had been into the store twice prior to this scheduled appointment and had spoken to staff about the ordering a cake for their wedding. When Miller realized the cake would be for the wedding of the two men in front of her, she immediately ‘transferred’ their appointment to another bakery.”

Reeves says this is the Facebook post by Ted, whose last name is not given. He confirmed to NCRM that the couple did not want to use their last names but Ted and Adam are their first names.

So the fiancé and I are out cake tasting in Bakersfield for OUR BIG DAY and the lady helping us (I have another name for her) asks, “So this is for the bride and groom?” (turning to Adam’s Mom) Uh, no it says Adam and Ted on your form! When we let her know that it’s for us, she quickly (without hesitation) replies “Well I’m going to transfer your order to Stephanie @ Gimme Some Sugar Cakes”. She stands up, walks away, and calls Stephanie to “transfer” us (I think she meant to say REFUSE SERVICE to us) and refer us for an appointment. After she leaves a voice mail with Stephanie she comes back to update us and says “Ok, I’ve called her and left a message. We can do the design and Stephanie can do the filling. Your welcome to stay and enjoy MY cupcakes….” and walks off #discrimination is alive and well in this [edited] up world. #loveislove

Meanwhile, according to NewNowNext, in addition to Salazar, another same-sex couple was also refused – also on Saturday, which would appear to make three same-sex couples refused by the same bakery on the same day.

“So we go to this bakery a week ago to sign up for tasting and choose our wedding cake,” Eileen Del Rio wrote on Facebook on Saturday. “The owner met with us today to set up the process. Well this rude ass person says I will make your order but I don’t condone same sex marriages and will have no part in this process. Oh but you want to take my order and give it another bakery so that bakery can do it. The rude person is also the owner of the place. She don’t condone same sex marriages so refused to make our wedding cake and set up our order. She wanted all our information to send to another bakery so they could make it.” 

KGET also reported Del Rio’s story.

NCRM reached out to Del Rio and she confirmed that she visited Tastries on Saturday. NCRM also reached out by phone and electronic message to the author of the Visalia Times-Delta’s and confirmed the details of that report. NCRM contacted Tastries by telephone and left a voicemail but hours later have not received a response.

To comment on this article and other NCRM content, visit our Facebook page.