WA State Florist Refuses to Serve Long time Gay Customer’s Wedding.

1 Comment | Izzoiz

Florist_400x300When Rob Ingersoll was getting ready to marry his partner of nine years, Curt, he ran into homophobia in an unlikely place.

Rob and Curt decided to use the same florist they have frequented for years, only to have owner Barronelle Stuzman, of Arelene’s Flowers in Richland, refuse on the grounds of Jesus….Wtf?

Stuzman responded to Rob’s request with this lovely excuse: “And I just took his hands and I said I’m sorry I can’t do your wedding because of my relationship with Jesus Christ,” said Stuzman who believes marriage should be between one man and one woman.

Has she forgotten who Jesus was friends with, supported and stood up for? I think she should re-evaluate her knowledge of Jesus and what he stood for. 

Ingersoll a class act said he does respect her views, (we would have hawked a loogie ;) but found it a bit unreal considering she never once made mention of her anti-gay marriage stance even when they were sending flowers to each other. Again, wtf? 

“It came as a shock to me because I’ve had a nine year relationship with Barronelle and have never thought there was a reason that she wouldn’t…” said Ingersoll in tears.

Stuzman of course says she is not anti-gay or discriminates against gay “We hire gay people. I have friends that are gay, that wasn’t the issue. The issue is that I just didn’t want to participate in the marriage,” she said.

The old ” some of my best friends are gay” affirmation. As if this pronouncement justifies her discriminatory stance. 

Ingersoll took to his Facebook and his story went spread like lighting. 

For her part Stuzman has had a harsh backlash.

“I’ve had hate mail. I’ve had people who want to burn my building, I’ve had people say they’ll never shop here again and tell all their friends. And I’ve had other people say thanks for standing up for your convictions and we’ll shop here and we’ll back you in any way we can,” Stuzman said.

I do not believe in violence of any kind and Stuzman has a right to her views, no matter how ignorant and discriminatory they are. I strongly believe in hitting them where it really hurts- their wallet. So if you do not agree with her views, you simply do not have to spend your bills at ARELEN’S FLOWERS, IN RICHLAND, WA! just sayin’ ;)

via Richland Florist Refuses to Serve Gay Wedding Customer – NBC Right Now/KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA |.

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