Two years ago, a longtime customer walked into Barronelle Stutzmanâ??s flower shop with a request: the customerâ??who is gayâ??asked Stutzman to provide flowers for his wedding. Stutzman declined, citing her Christian faithâ??s objections to same-sex marriage, and was eventually charged with violating Washingtonâ??s state anti-discrimination statute. With Stutzman facing thousands of dollars in fines, attorneys with Alliance Defending Freedom stepped in to defend her in court. Today, the case is under review at the Washington Supreme Court, where Stutzmanâ??s attorneys are hoping for a reversal of a lower courtâ??s ruling against her.
â??Barronelle and numerous others like her around the country have been more than willing to serve any and all customers, but they are understandably not willing to promote any and all messages,â? said Kristen Waggoner, one of Stutzmanâ??s attorneys, said in a statement. â??No one should be faced with a choice between their freedom of speech and conscience on one hand and personal and professional ruin on the other.â?
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