PORTLAND, Ore. – The co-owner of a Gresham bakery that refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple cut a check for the $135,000 fine ordered by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries.
Aaron Klein on Monday made a payment in the amount of $136,927.07, which included interest, according to Charlie Burr with BOLI.
Following a two-year investigation into whether the bakery violated Oregon's anti-discrimination laws, BOLI ruled July 2, 2015, that the Kleins had to pay Rachel and Laurel Bowman-Cryer $135,000 for refusing to bake them a wedding cake because of their sexual orientation.
"This case is not about a wedding cake or a marriage. It is about a business's refusal to serve someone because of their sexual orientation. Under Oregon law, that is illegal," BOLI said in its ruling.
The Bowman-Cryers said they were happy with the decision following a difficult two years that they said included attacks on social media and even death threats.
Aaron Klein said he would file an appeal with the Oregon Court of Appeals.
Aaron and Melissa Klein cited their religious beliefs when they refused to make the cake in January 2013. The Keins closed their Gresham store the following June.