Homophobic Bakers Finally Obey The Law, Pay Fine For Refusing To Serve Same-Sex Couples
Aaron and Melissa Klein, the deeply homophobic bakers who were fined $135,000 by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) after refusing to serve a same-sex couple because it supposedly violated their religious beliefs, have finally paid their fine.
The AP reports Aaron "dropped off a check Monday for $136,927.07," which includes accrued interest.
The Kleins refused to pay the fine for nearly six months after losing a discrimination case against Rachel and Laurel Bowman-Cryer, the lesbian couple who were denied service by their Gresham bakery, Sweet Cakes by Melissa.
They claimed the fine would destroy their business, even after their story made national news and brought them over $500,000 in donations from anti-gay sympathizers through a crowdfunding campaign.
"This case is not about a wedding cake or a marriage," BOLI said in its initial ruling. "It is about a business’s refusal to serve someone because of their sexual orientation. Under Oregon law, that is illegal."
Sweet Cakes by Melissa's permanent location is now closed, and Melissa runs the business from home via their website.
On the site's landing page, a Bible verse greets visitors: ""For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
