Court hits florist with big fines, penalties in gay wedding case

Details emerge from a court judgment issued Friday in State of Washington v. Arlene’s Flowers that awards penalties and fees to Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson in his lawsuit against floral artist Barronelle Stutzman and her business. The ADF calls it a “surrender” of “her freedom and conscience” and just the “first punch” with other fees and penalties to follow.

“Today’s judgment affirms the court’s earlier decision that Barronelle must pay a penalty for her faith and surrender her freedom and conscience,” Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Kristen Waggoner said in a statement.

photo Julyo based on work by Gilbert Baker, 1979 via wikimedia commons

“The penalty and fees imposed today are only the first punch. The ACLU, on behalf of the same-sex couple also suing Barronelle, has asked the court to award them penalties, fees, and costs, which will financially devastate Barronelle’s business and personal assets – including taking this 70-year old grandmother’s retirement and personal savings. The message sent by the attorney general and the ACLU to the people of Washington is quite clear: surrender your religious liberty and free speech rights, or face personal and professional ruin.”

Barronelle Stutzman had turned away a gay couple, stating that she wouldn’t provide flowers for their service due to her faith. The two men had no problem with other outlets providing flowers, one offer was even free, but instead elected to make an example out of the woman, who may now lose all of her savings and possibly her personal property.

She rejected a settlement in February, stating that the case is about freedom not money – complete story here