Wedding bells ring in court hearings rather than harmony this summer as a Colorado judge rules a bakery guilty of discrimination after refusing to cater a same-sex wedding. A question of rights since Massachusetts legalized gay marriage in 2004, the dilemma only amplifies after the Supreme Court ruled such lawful all across America this month.
While many argue that the Colorado ruling is justifiable because the homosexual couple deserve a cake on their special day, this is not the issue at hand.
Religious freedom, free markets, and both plaintiff’s freedom of choice are at play, too.
Of course a couple should have a beautiful dessert on their big day if they want to, but why force someone to bake it against their will, especially when going against spiritual convictions?
Coercing creation, you run the risk of receiving a loveless, mediocre product, spit in the batter, or negative vibes to swathe the buffet table.
Plus, why give money to those reluctant if not hateful people?
With early 2015 polls everywhere from CNN to the Wall Street Journal reporting that over half the population supports gay marriage, there are alternatives abound.
Even if you live in a very rural town with limited options, you could begin a KickStarter campaign to supplement the cost of a long distance chef or refrigerated delivery.
Given how popular supporting the LGBTQA community has become, once the story catches with a media outlet, it would not be surprising to see donations come in to cover the entire ceremony, perhaps accompany a celebrity appearance.
The same goes for litigating churches into performing ceremonies they are uncomfortable with. If weddings are about celebration, keep those denying the legitimacy of your love out.
Spread the word about the happiness found with your partner and the adversity you faced at that bakery. There is no need to take money from the state by suing. Those tax dollars could be better spent funding schools or feeding the homeless.
The press will take care of commending you and crucifying them. The public will take care of vindicating you and putting them out of business through bad buzz.
Furthermore, while the fight for equality rages on, let us not become the very ones who oppressed us.
Priests who refuse to accept the validity of commitment crossing the gender divide have every right to practice what they preach, just as the new generation has every right to progress the LGBT agenda through culture.
It is culture—not courts—that dictates viewpoint. Suing and enslaving business does not garner sympathy for a cause, it closets animosity. News, art, time, and discussion change perceptions, phase out narrow thinking.
Phase out bigotry by letting businesses and individuals express themselves—through work, words, or weddings—without the fear of falling under the government’s boot.
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Disclaimer: This is just one person’s opinion and it is not representative of all FIUSM staff.
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