Supreme Court Refuses to Rule on Anti-Gay Florist’s Case – For Now
The U.S. Supreme Court is refusing to hear the case of Barronelle Stutzman, the owner of Arlene's Flowers, who refused to sell flowers to a same-sex couple for their wedding – for now.
Stutzman, a Washington state florist, was offered multiple opportunities to settle her case by state and local prosecutors but repeatedly refused. One offer was for $1000. At the same time, her attorneys have falsely claimed that by refusing the same-sex couple the elderly florist may lose her business, her home, and her savings. It's a line repeated by many on the right. And it's false.
She is represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, the same anti-gay hate group that won a narrow ruling at the Supreme Court earlier this month for Colorado baker Jack Phillips.
The Supreme Court referred the case back to the lower court.
Monday morning's Supreme Court order states that it has vacated the Washington Supreme Court's original decision against Stutzman, and ordered the State Supreme Court to further consider the case "in light of" the Masterpiece Cakeshop ruling. That ruling the U.S. Supreme Court made clear was based on animus against the baker, not on discrimination against the same-sex couple.
Arlene's Flowers, the Washington florist asserting religious objection to providing flowers for a same-sex couple’s… https://t.co/67srz1vZZ6— Equality Case Files (@Equality Case Files)1529933633.0
It's unclear why the US Supreme Court would frame today's order in the manner.
Some legal experts weigh in:
Entirely predictable maneuver. The Washington Supreme Court will reach the same conclusion on remand, setting up a… https://t.co/nnB3pD7oRz— Mark Joseph Stern (@Mark Joseph Stern)1529933763.0
Since Masterpiece hinged on evident hostility of an official against the baker, lower court could quickly & easily… https://t.co/mgGzpxw670— Steven Mazie (@Steven Mazie)1529934119.0
This news means a religious florist who turned away a gay couple will have her case heard again at the WA State Sup… https://t.co/p8u4JljxWV— Dominic Holden (@Dominic Holden)1529933961.0
CNN's report:
JUST IN: The Supreme Court won't review a same-sex wedding flower case, "once again really side-stepping deciding t… https://t.co/d3X4lNM029— CNN Newsroom (@CNN Newsroom)1529935812.0
