Another business is being sued for not wanting to do something gay. But this time there is support from the beginning for the business being sued. That support is from fellow LGBT business owners. To that I say BRAVO!
Members of the LGBT community, along with law firms and scholars, are giving some major support to a Christian business owner in Lexington, Kentucky, over his decision to decline a request to print T-shirts for a “Gay Pride” event.
The surprising backing announced Thursday comes in the wake of Blaine Adamson’s refusal to print customized T-shirts for a Gay Pride festival in 2012 because of his sincerely held Christian beliefs concerning homosexual behavior and the pro-LGBT message that would be conveyed on the proposed shirts, CBN News reports.
However, instead of merely turning the prospective client away, Adamson, who owns and operates the Hands On Originals printing company, referred the customer to another printer. In fact, the owner of the Christian printing company went out of his way by offering to personally connect the person trying to order the LGBT shirts with the other printer, who agreed to produce the requested T-shirts for the same amount that Adamson would have charged for the order.
Despite Adamson’s willingness to assist the customer, a complaint was filed against Hands on Originals by the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization. In the lawsuit, the Human Rights Commission charged the Christian company with illegal discrimination for denying the would-be client service due to its owner’s religious beliefs concerning homosexuality.
Unexpected and welcomed support
Not agreeing with the uproar stirred by much of the LGBT community opposing Adamson’s refusal to print the Gay Pride shirts, a number of businesses—including BMP T-Shirts—that are owned by LGBT members have publicly declared their support to Adamson over his decision to exercise his free speech rights in the matter.
"No one should be forced to do something against what they believe in,” proclaimed Diane DiGerloromo, one of the lesbian owners of BMP T-Shirts. “If we were approached by an organization, such as the Westboro Baptist Church, I highly doubt we would be doing business with them, and we would be very angry if we were forced to print anti-gay T-shirts."
DiGeloromo insists that Adamson’s decision to decline service to a customer so that he does not show support for a cause with which he disagrees should not set the stage for a sexual orientation discrimination suit.
"This isn't a gay or straight issue,” the lesbian business owner asserted, according to CBN News. “This is a human issue."
Kathy Trautvertter, who co-owns BMP T-Shirts with DiGeloromo, agrees with her business partner that owners of companies should not be forced to compromise their beliefs when conducting their business. Trautvertter noted that she would do the same thing regarding her beliefs if the shoe were on the other foot, especially with the emotional investment she puts into her business.
"You put your blood and your sweat and your tears into your business [and] it's very personal,” Trautvertter expressed. “When I put myself in Mr. Adamson's shoes, I could see it from his side." – onenewsnow.com
Once again BRAVO for LGBT businesses understanding that they wouldn't want to be sued for doing the same thing.
Do unto others …
Your thoughts?
Once again, if you like the t-shirt image of this article, go to RevelandRiot.com. The third one looks perfect.
Discrimination is
Discrimination is discrimination!
agree, if you are in business
agree, if you are in business to the public, the you need to service the public.your personal beliefs are for you to follow with YOUR life not in others.
As a gay man that runs a
As a gay man that runs a business I have to say I agree with what the t shirt maker did. Business owners should have the right to refuse service to anyone. They don’t have to be mean about but I commend this guy on how he handle it. Very professionally. I personally feel the gay community are just becoming bullies at this point. Forcing everyone to accept them. Frankly I wish they would move on to real topics like solving world hunger not marriage equilty. Last I check we are all human. Let’s just be nice to each other and move on with our lives
So should gun shops not sell
So should gun shops not sell to Christians if they have sincerely held beliefs against Christians? If you participate in the public square, you play by the rules. Should a Christian business be allowed to turn away Jews or Muslims since following other faiths violates the Christian Ten Commandments? Should a gay ambulance service be able to turn away right-wing Christians by politely directing them to Uber instead?
Do you think that African
Do you think that African Americans should be denied their choices of places to eat so long as the owners make them a reservation at another restaurant? It's a very selective reading of their Bible, which neglects the statement that all men are sinners (which would mean that nobody gets a shirt.) Bigotry is bigotry, even if you pretend to be nice about.
The difference with the cake
The difference with the cake Bakers is they were rude as hell to people who are planning their special day and their love which is very different from saying please could you get somebody else to make the t-shirts
It’s about time.Â
It's about time.