Wash. Judge Rules Florist Broke Law By Denying Gay Couple Flowers

A judge ruled this week that a Washington florist who refused to provide flowers for a same-sex marriage ceremony violated the state's anti-discrimination laws.

Benton County Superior Court Judge Alex Ekstrom ruled Wednesday that Barronelle Stutzman, owner of Arlene's Flowers in Richmond, violated the state's consumer laws on anti-discrimination when she denied providing flowers for the same-sex wedding of Robert Ingersoll and his partner back in 2012.

When Stutzman denied the sale of flowers to Ingersoll, the customer sued. Judge Ekstrom ruled Wednesday that although Stutzman's religious beliefs are protected under the First Amendment, actions she takes as a small business owner to express those religious beliefs aren't necessarily protected.

"For over 135 years, the Supreme Court has held that laws may prohibit religiously motivated action, as opposed to belief," Ekstrom wrote in his opinion. "The Courts have confirmed the power of the Legislative Branch to prohibit conduct it deems discriminatory, even where the motivation for that conduct is grounded in religious belief."

"Religious motivation does not excuse compliance with the law," the judge continued, adding "Stutzman is not a minister, nor is Arlene's Flowers a religious organization when they sell flowers to the general public."

"Stutzman cannot comply with both the law and her faith if she continues to provide flowers for weddings as part of her duly licensed business."

Alliance Defending Freedom [ADF], the legal group defending Stutzman, voiced its opposition to Ekstrom's ruling in a statement.

"The message of these rulings is unmistakable: the government will bring about your personal and professional ruin if you don't help celebrate same-sex marriage," Kristen Waggoner, a lawyer for the ADF, said in a statement.