NI Bakery In 'Gay Marriage' Cake Row

A bakery in Newtownabbey could be facing legal action after it refused a request from a customer to make a cake supporting gay marriage rights.

Asher's Bakery, a Christian-run bakery, is understood to have received an order from a Mr Gareth Lee which asked for a cake to feature the Sesame Street puppets Bert and Ernie. He also wanted the logo of his campaign group, 'QueerSpace' to be printed on the cake, as well as the slogan "support gay marriage".

After taking the request to the company directors of the bakery, a decision was made to decline the order. The McArthur family, who own the bakery, explained that the request conflicted with their Christian beliefs.

The Christian Institute has said it supports the bakery. However, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland has contacted the company to tell them they could now face legal action because of their refusal. It claims the bakery has broken the law by discriminating against Mr Lee on the grounds of sexual orientation.

In a statement, the Commission added: "In this case the commission has granted assistance to the complainant, and has written to the company concerned on his behalf. The commission will consider any response before taking further action."

It has since emerged that the cake in question was to be made for an International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia event Councillor Andrew Muir was hosting when he was Mayor of North Down.

In a statement, the Alliance North Down Councillor said: "I fully support the action taken against this bakery. Businesses should not be able to pick and choose who they serve.

"There would not be any debate if the cake had depicted an anti-racism or anti-ageism slogan, nor should it require intervention from the Equality Commission for this cake for Anti-Homophobia Day.

"It is ridiculous for this bakery to suggest that they would have to endorse the campaign. For Northern Ireland to prosper and overcome our divisions we need a new society where businesses are willing to cater for all, regardless of religious views, political opinion, disability, race, age, sexual orientation, marital status, gender and other backgrounds."

The photo above is of a cake that was produced by another bakery.

(JP/CD)