A seven-member panel on Friday upheld
an administrative law judge's ruling against a Colorado baker who
refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple.
Colorado's Civil Rights Commission told
suburban Denver-based Masterpiece Cakeshop owner Jack Phillips that
he must serve all customers regardless of sexual orientation or face
fines.
The panel unanimously agreed with Judge
Robert N. Spencer's finding in December that Phillips violated the
state's civil rights law.
In 2012, Phillips refused to consider
baking a cake for Dave Mullins and Charlie Craig, who have since
married in Massachusetts and held a reception in Denver. Phillips
said that serving the couple would violate his religious faith.
Colorado recognizes gay and lesbian couples with civil unions, not
marriage.
The couple sued, claiming that
Phillips' faith does not give him a right to discriminate.
Phillips previously stated that he
would rather shutter his business of 20 years than support same-sex
marriage.
“I will stand by my convictions until
somebody shuts me down,” he told reporters on Friday.
The commission ordered Phillips to
report quarterly for two years on any customers he refuses to serve.
An appeal to the Colorado Court of
Appeals is under consideration, Phillips'
attorney said.