A new problem has arisen for proponents of fining bakeries who allegedly discriminate against homosexual patrons by refusing to make cakes for same-sex weddings. What if a bakery refuses to serve a customer who wants a cake decorated with homosexual slurs? Would they also defend that customer's rights?
That exact issue is at the forefront of a complaint against a Colorado bakery owned by Marjorie Silva. Silva's Azucar Bakery in Denver has received a religious discrimination complaint from a customer after she refused to write what she called "hateful words" on the man's cake order.
From the San Francisco Chronicle:
According to Silva, the man who visited last year wanted a Bible-shaped cake, which she agreed to make. Just as they were getting ready to complete the order, Silva said the man showed her a piece of paper with hateful words about gays that he wanted written on the cake. He also wanted the cake to have two men holding hands and an X on top of them, Silva said.
She said she would make the cake, but declined to write his suggested messages on the cake, telling him she would give him icing and a pastry bag so he could write the words himself. Silva said the customer didn't want that.
Colorado's Civil Rights Division is said to be reviewing this matter but in accordance with their investigation, specific details surrounding the case remain confidential. The complainant's name, however, has been released -- Bill Jack of Castle Rock, a community south of Denver.
A statement from Jack to local news was obtained by the Chronicle: It said he "was discriminated against by the bakery based on my creed." He declined further comment until the findings of the case are released.
The Chronicle's report includes quotes from two legal officials, including the legal director of Colorado's American Civil Liberties Union, who both feel this case is "significantly" different than other cases in which bakers have refused to sell cakes to same-sex couples. They believe it is well within a business owner's right to refuse specific messages, but not service.
For Silva, she is quoted in the report as saying she is still "shaken up" by the situation and feels that if anyone should have filed a complaint, it should have been she. She added:
It's just horrible. It doesn't matter if, you know, if you're Catholic, or Jewish, or Christian, if I'm gay or not gay or whatever. We should all be loving each other. I mean there's no reason to discriminate.
