'Gay cake' row: Judge rules against Ashers bakery
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Loading... - SUTH INTHUVARMAN
- 19 May 2020
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A judge has ruled that a Christian-run bakery discriminated against a gay customer over their refusal to make a cake with a slogan supporting same-sex marriage.
Ashers Baking Company, based in County Antrim, were taken to court by gay rights activist Gareth Lee.
A Belfast judge said, as a business, Ashers were not exempt from discrimination law.
Damages of £500 were agreed in advance by both legal teams.
The judge said Ashers are "conducting a business for profit", they are not a religious group.
They were found to have discriminated against Mr Lee on the grounds of sexual orientation.
The judge said he accepted that Ashers have "genuine and deeply held" religious views, but said they were not above the law.
Gareth Lee placed the order for the cake with Ashers
BBC NI reporter Mark Simpson said there was "dignified, calm silence from all sides in court" as the judge explained his decision.
The judge has been speaking for more than a hour, but has not revealed what sanction Ashers will face.
Mr Lee had claimed the bakery discriminated against him on the grounds of his sexual orientation.
Ashers said the slogan was against their Christian beliefs.
Speaking outside the Belfast court ahead of Tuesday's ruling, Ashers general manager Daniel McArthur said: "We happily serve everyone but we cannot promote a cause that goes against what the Bible says about marriage.
"We have tried to be guided in our actions by our Christian beliefs."
Reacting to the decision, Northern Ireland 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, DUP assembly member 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."
Another bakery made the cake after the order was turned down by Ashers
