PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Lawyers for two Gresham bakers who were fined for discrimination are appealing to the nation’s highest court.
Attorneys for Aaron and Melissa Klein petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court, asking for a review of their case.
The owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa refused to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding in 2013, and were subsequently fined $135,000.
They appealed the fine, arguing it violated their rights as artists to free speech, their rights as Oregonians to religious freedom and their rights as defendants to a due process.
In December of 2017, the Oregon Court of Appeals decided to uphold the fine.
Then in June of 2018, the Oregon Supreme Court denied the Kleins’ petition for review.
Now, their lawyers are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene, citing the recent Masterpiece Cakeshop case, in which the court ruled in favor of a Colorado baker who refused to sell a custom wedding cake to a gay couple because of his religious beliefs. The Klein’s lawyers argue the Supreme Court has the opportunity to clarify whether the government can compel citizens to create a message that goes against their religious beliefs.
The bakery owners made national headlines after they refused to bake a cake for Laurel and Rachel Bowman-Cryer in February 2013. They said their refusal was prompted by religious beliefs.
Due to the backlash, the couple closed their Gresham store in 2013 and ran the business out of their home until 2016.