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The Gresham bakery that refused to sell a cake to a lesbian couple, saying, "we don't do same-sex marriages," has finally closed.
"We have closed Sweet Cakes," a photo on the bakery's Facebook reads. "We appreciate everyone's continued prayer and support!"
Aaron and Melissa Klein refused service to a lesbian woman in February 2013. The continued backlash forced them to close their storefront shop in downtown Gresham (next to the good chicken place) and they've made several attempts to keep the business going, starting a GoFundMe campaign, which was shut down by the site for violating company policy.
In July 2015, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries ruled that Aaron Klein had discriminated against the couple by refusing the bake the cake. Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian then ordered the Kleins to pay $135,000 to Rachel and Laurel Bowman-Cryer, for the emotional and physical suffering they caused the couple. (Aaron Klein also posted their names, address and phone number on his Facebook page.)
After initially refusing, the Kleins paid the damages last year, but appealed the order to the Oregon Court of Appeals in April. The money will remain in a government escrow account until the end of appeals.
Related: Sweet Cakes by Melissa Co-Owner Aaron Klein Reverses Course, Delivers Check for $137,000
Right-wing news sites are blaming the "Gay Mafia thugs " and the "Homofascist Mob" for the bakery's closure.
Which might include us?
Remember when we asked Sweet Cakes by Melissa to make us cakes for divorces, unmarried parents, stem-cell research, non-kosher barbecues and pagan solstice parties? That was cool.
Willamette Week