UK Wedding News
19/05/2015
Ashers Baking Company, a Christian-run bakery based in Co Antrim, was taken to court over its decision by gay rights activist Gareth Lee.
On Tuesday, a judge in Belfast said that Ashers is "conducting a business for profit", and is not a religious group. The company was found to have to have discriminated against Mr Lee on the grounds of sexual orientation as well as his political beliefs.
The judge added that she accepts Ashers "genuine and deeply held" religious views.
Ashers said the slogan supporting same-sex marriage went against their Christian beliefs.
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland said it welcomed the judgement.
In a statement, it said: "This case raised issues of public importance regarding the extent to which suppliers of goods and services can refuse service on grounds of sexual orientation, religious belief and political opinion.
"The Court's decision confirms the legal responsibilities on all service providers not to discriminate against their customers on these grounds. The Commission will consider the decision fully and its implications."
In response to the ruling, Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness tweeted: "Asher's bakery judgement a good result for equality, gay people have for far too long been discriminated against. We and the law on their side."
However, other politicians have criticised the ruling.
The DUP's David McIlveen tweeted: "Utterly sickened that a Christian owned business has been hauled over the coals for refusing to promote something that is not legal in NI."
Jim Allister, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice, said it was "a dark day for justice and religious freedom in Northern Ireland".
(JP)
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Judge Rules NI Bakery Discriminated Over 'Gay Cake'
A judge has ruled that a bakery in Northern Ireland discriminated against a gay customer after it refused to make a cake which featured a slogan supporting same-sex marriage.Ashers Baking Company, a Christian-run bakery based in Co Antrim, was taken to court over its decision by gay rights activist Gareth Lee.
On Tuesday, a judge in Belfast said that Ashers is "conducting a business for profit", and is not a religious group. The company was found to have to have discriminated against Mr Lee on the grounds of sexual orientation as well as his political beliefs.
The judge added that she accepts Ashers "genuine and deeply held" religious views.
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Ashers said the slogan supporting same-sex marriage went against their Christian beliefs.
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland said it welcomed the judgement.
In a statement, it said: "This case raised issues of public importance regarding the extent to which suppliers of goods and services can refuse service on grounds of sexual orientation, religious belief and political opinion.
"The Court's decision confirms the legal responsibilities on all service providers not to discriminate against their customers on these grounds. The Commission will consider the decision fully and its implications."
In response to the ruling, Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness tweeted: "Asher's bakery judgement a good result for equality, gay people have for far too long been discriminated against. We and the law on their side."
However, other politicians have criticised the ruling.
The DUP's David McIlveen tweeted: "Utterly sickened that a Christian owned business has been hauled over the coals for refusing to promote something that is not legal in NI."
Jim Allister, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice, said it was "a dark day for justice and religious freedom in Northern Ireland".
(JP)
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