A Washington state judge has fined a
florist who refused to supply flowers for the wedding of a gay
customer, the AP reported.
Barronelle Stutzman, the owner of
Arlene's Flowers & Gifts in Richland, said that providing the
service would be a violation of her faith.
In February 2013, Stutzman refused to
serve Robert Ingersoll when he attempted to purchase flowers for his
upcoming marriage to now-husband Curt Freed.
Last month, Benton County Superior
Court Judge Alex Ekstrom found Stutzman guilty of violating the
state's anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws. On Friday,
he gave her 60 days to pay a $1,000 fine, plus $1 for court costs and
fees.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson's office
filed the lawsuit against Stutzman.
“My primary goal has always been to
end illegal discrimination,” Ferguson
said in a statement. “I'm pleased that today's ruling clearly
prohibits discrimination against same-sex couples.”
Stutzman refused an earlier request
to no longer discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.
Ferguson said Friday that his office would not have sued if Stutzman
had accepted the agreement.