An Oregon lesbian couple has filed a discrimination complaint
against a bakery for refusing to make a wedding cake for them based
on religious grounds.
According to The
Oregonian, the state Bureau of Labor and Industries will
investigate whether Sweet Cakes by Melissa in Gresham violated the
state's 2007 law prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations
on the basis of sexual orientation.
Aaron Klein, who owns the shop with his wife Melissa Klein,
declined to make the cake for the women on January 17. Klein told
the women that they do not make cakes for gay weddings.
“I believe that marriage is a religious institution ordained by
God,” Klein previously told King5. “A man should leave his
mother and father and cling to his wife … that to me is the
beginning of marriage.”
“They can buy my stuff,” Klein said in explaining that he does
not hate gays. “I'll sell them stuff … I'll talk to them, it's
fine.”
Melissa Klein confirmed that she received the complaint on
Tuesday.
“It's definitely not discrimination at all. We don't have
anything against lesbians or homosexuals,” she told The
Oregonian. “It has to do with our morals and beliefs.”
A spokesperson for the Bureau of Labor and Industries said they
have had 10 complaints based on sexual orientation since the law's
passage.