US: Anti-gay bakers ordered to pay $135k to lesbian couple

A bakery in Oregon has been ordered to pay $135,000 (£89,000) compensation to a lesbian couple, after refusing to make them a wedding cake.

In January 2013, Melissa and Aaron Klein, proprietors of Sweet Cakes by Melissa were approached by Rachel Bowman-Cryer and Laurel Bowman-Cryer, about making a wedding cake. However, when the bakers learned that they were lesbians they refused the request.

The Kleins, who are Christian, say they believe marriage is the union of one man and one woman.

At the time of the 2013 incident, Aaron Klein argued that he and Melissa were simply living in accordance with their religious beliefs by rejecting the lesbian couple's request.

"I believe that marriage is a religious institution ordained by God," he was quoted as saying at the time. "I'd rather have my kids see their dad stand up for what he believes in than to see him bow down because one person complained."

The Bowman-Cryers who were married in May 2014, filed a complaint with the Oregon Labor Bureau under a statute which bans discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The couple submitted a list of physical, emotional and mental damages they said they had suffered because of the Kleins.

On Friday, Judge Alan McCullough ordered the bakers to pay damages of $75,000 and $60,000 to the plaintiffs who he said were discriminated against causing them emotional suffering.

The Kleins were forced to close their store in September 2013 following the negative publicity that followed the dispute, and now run their business from their home via an online ordering service.

They claim the ruling could bankrupt their family of seven.

A GoFundMe page raised more than $100,000 for the family, however it was shut down since the website does not allow donations for anyone found to be in violation of the law.

GoFundMe released a statement about why the Sweet Cakes By Melissa campaign was canceled. The statement reads: "After careful review by our team, we have found the "Support Sweet Cakes By Melissa" campaign to be in violation of our Terms and Conditions. The money raised thus far will still be made available for withdrawal. While a different campaign was recently permitted for a pizzeria in Indiana, no laws were violated and the campaign remained live. However, the subjects of the "Support Sweet Cakes By Melissa" campaign have been formally charged by local authorities and found to be in violation of Oregon state law concerning discriminatory acts. Accordingly, the campaign has been disabled."

Reacting on Facebook tot he decision the Kleins said: "Satan's really at work,".

They urged supporters to donate instead through the website of Samaritan's Purse, a Christian aid group.