By John Mack Freeman
An administrative judge has proposed a $135,000 fine for the suburban Portland, Oregon bakery who were refused service over two years ago. Via the Seattle Times:
The judge, Alan McCullough, ruled in January that Sweet Cakes by Melissa discriminated against Laurel and Rachel Bowman-Cryer by refusing to bake them a wedding cake. The bakers cited their religious beliefs in a case that has been cited in the national debate over religious freedom and discrimination against gays.
Friday’s proposed order, which runs 110 pages, dealt with the award for emotional suffering. The judge awarded $75,000 to Rachel Bowman-Cryer and $60,000 to her wife.
The sides will review the proposal and have the opportunity to file exceptions before Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian issues a final order.
In response to the ruling, a GoFundMe page that had been setup to pay the expenses of the bakers has been removed from the site. GoFundMe cited a violation of the site’s Terms and Conditions, but they are making the $110,000 that had been raised up this point to be withdrawn.
According to documents filed with the court, the complainants were “forced to sell possessions”, suffered “dislike of going to work”, “hysteria”, “loss of opportunity for bonding with infant”, and “not wanting husband to touch her”, and felt “mentally raped”.