Christian Cake Bakers Lose Appeal; Fine Stands: OR Appeals Court

GRESHAM, OR — Aaron and Melissa Klein, the former bakery owners who in 2013 denied a soon-to-be married couple a wedding cake because of their sexual orientation, lost their case with the Oregon Court of Appeals Thursday.

The Kleins' loss is a big win for Laurel and Rachel Bowman-Cryer, the couple who the Kleins denied a wedding cake, and it's a big win for the state's anti-discrimination laws — which could also have greater implications on the national stage.

The Kleins made national headlines in 2013 when they stood fast in their religious convictions and denied the Bowman-Cryers a wedding cake because, as Aaron told the Christian Broadcast Network's Tony Perkins, "It’s our belief and we have a right to it."

After a lengthy court battle, Brad Avakian, commissioner of Oregon's Bureau of Labor and Industries, imposed a $135,000 fine on the Kleins — which was to be awarded to the Bowman-Cryers for emotional distress suffered throughout the ordeal.

The Court of Appeals upheld that decision Thursday, as well as most of Avakian's original ruling that resulted in the money award, but rejected Avakian's assertion that the Kleins violated a state statute that "makes it unlawful to threaten to commit unlawful discrimination" when the Kleins — in Avakian's opinion — intimated they would violate discrimination laws again by not making cakes for same sex couples in the future.

Avakian said the Kleins implied as much during the Perkins interview, and through a sign posted to their storefront following its closure, but the Court of Appeals saw Avakian's claim as a reach and instead agreed with the Kleins, reversing Avakian's order and associated penalties.

According to Oregonian/OregonLive reporter Gordon Friedman, the Bowman-Cryers issued a statement through their attorney celebrating the court's decision:

Through their attorney, the Bowman-Cryers said Thursday's ruling affirms "the long-standing idea that discrimination has no place in America."

"All of us are equal under the law and should be treated equally," the couple said. Any ruling to the contrary would "create a sweeping license to discriminate," they said.

AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin