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USA News

US Supreme Court rejects Christian florist appeal for a hearing over same-sex wedding case

by Kelly Valencia

The US Supreme Court has, for a second time, rejected the petition by a US Christian florist for an appeal hearing after she was fined for refusing to provide wedding flowers for a same-sex couple.

Barronelle Stutzman had been selling flowers to Rob Ingersoll for many years until he asked her to do arrangements for his nuptials with another man. But Stutzman declined to do so stating her Christians beliefs as the reason behind the decision.

As a result, both Ingersoll and his partner filed a lawsuit against Stutzman. In 2015, she was issued with a $1,000 (£723) fine by a court in Washington.

Two years later, in 2017, Washington state’s Supreme Court ruled against Stutzman but that decision was later cancelled by the US Supreme Court in 2018 as the Washington court was asked to reconsider following the verdict in favour of Christian baker Jack Philips.

However, after hearing Stutzman’s case again, the Washington Supreme Court reiterated its previous ruling which said she had discriminated on the basis of sexual orientation.

The group representing Stutzman, Alliance Defending Freedom took to Twitter to express its disappointment.

"Barronelle Stutzman kindly served a gay customer for YEARS before declining to make art for a ceremony that's sacred in her religion. She was sued & persecuted for acting on deeply held beliefs," it tweeted. ‘SCOTUS' decision not to hear this case is disappointing –– but our fight isn't over," the tweet reads.

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