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08/07/2014
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)
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)
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A Christian-run bakery who lost a discrimination case is to appeal the judges decision. Ashers Bakery was ordered to pay £500 for refusing to make a cake with a slogan supporting gay marriage. The bakery was asked by Gareth Lee to make a cake with Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie with a motto in support of gay marriage.
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Belfast visit icing on the cake for former local
A 30-year-old fruitcake has helped a former Belfast woman return home for the first time in three decades. Sheila Resnick left her home city in 1974 for a new life in Stockport, England. However, just a couple of years previous she had bought fruit cake in Supermac on the Hillfoot Road.
Belfast visit icing on the cake for former local
A 30-year-old fruitcake has helped a former Belfast woman return home for the first time in three decades. Sheila Resnick left her home city in 1974 for a new life in Stockport, England. However, just a couple of years previous she had bought fruit cake in Supermac on the Hillfoot Road.
24 October 2016
Ashers Bakery Loses Appeal For Refusing To Make 'Gay Cake'
The Christian owners of a bakery in Northern Ireland have lost their appeal for refusing to make a cake with a pro-gay marriage slogan. The Court of Appeal ruled against Ashers Bakery's appeal on Monday, 24 October. They refused to bake the cake which featured puppets Bert and Ernie for gay activist Gareth Lee.
Ashers Bakery Loses Appeal For Refusing To Make 'Gay Cake'
The Christian owners of a bakery in Northern Ireland have lost their appeal for refusing to make a cake with a pro-gay marriage slogan. The Court of Appeal ruled against Ashers Bakery's appeal on Monday, 24 October. They refused to bake the cake which featured puppets Bert and Ernie for gay activist Gareth Lee.
10 June 2015
Ashers Bakery Owners Lodge Legal Appeal Over 'Gay Cake' Case
The owners of Ashers Bakery have taken the first steps in the legal appeal against the court judgment in the 'gay cake' case. The firm was ordered to pay £500 for refusing to make a cake with a slogan supporting gay marriage.
Ashers Bakery Owners Lodge Legal Appeal Over 'Gay Cake' Case
The owners of Ashers Bakery have taken the first steps in the legal appeal against the court judgment in the 'gay cake' case. The firm was ordered to pay £500 for refusing to make a cake with a slogan supporting gay marriage.
07 August 2002
Bakery proprietor fined for food safety offences
A home bakery proprietor has been fined by Belfast Magistrates for food safety offences. At Belfast Magistrates Court yesterday afternoon, south Belfast home bakery proprietor John McKeag received a fine of £4,500, with £263 costs, for nine offences under The Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995.
Bakery proprietor fined for food safety offences
A home bakery proprietor has been fined by Belfast Magistrates for food safety offences. At Belfast Magistrates Court yesterday afternoon, south Belfast home bakery proprietor John McKeag received a fine of £4,500, with £263 costs, for nine offences under The Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995.
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