John O’Doherty of The Rainbow Project welcomes the court decision today against Ashers bakery
THE Derry man who is the equality officers for gay rights group the Rainbow Project has welcomed a ruling that Christian-owned Ashers baking company had acted unlawfully over their refusal to make a cake with a slogan supporting same sex marriage.
John O’Doherty of the Rainbow Project said: ‘We welcome this judgment.
“Judge Brownlie cut through the noise surrounding this case to address the facts. Ashers agreed to make the cake.
“They entered into a contractual agreement to make this cake and then changed their mind.
“While sympathetic as some may be to the position in which the company finds itself; this does not change the facts of the case.
“The judge clearly articulated that this is direct discrimination for which there can be no justification’
“We do not believe that this matter should have been brought to court.
“We believe that Ashers bakery should have accepted the Equality Commission’s invitation to engage in mediation, where a remedy could have been found without the expense and division surrounding this court case.
“However, most damaging of all has been the attempt by politicians to use this case to justify amending the law to allow businesses to discriminate against LGB&T people with the so-called ‘conscience clause.’
“We would now urge Paul Given MLA and the DUP to make it clear to the people of Northern Ireland that they will not legislate to reduce the hard-won legal protections for our community.
“We once again extend the hand of friendship to all people of faith, churches and families. We would encourage faith leaders to engage with our community to ensure better relations and to develop trust and respect between our overlapping communities for the betterment of our society.”
This morning, Ashers were found guilty of discriminating against a gay customer for refusing to make a cake with a slogan supporting same-sex marriage.
Co Antrim-based Ashers Baking Company was taken to court by gay rights activist Gareth Lee.
Judge Isobel Brownlie ruled that Ashers were not exempt from laws on discrimination.
The judge added that Ashers are “conducting a business for profit” and they are not a religious group.
Mr Lee had claimed the bakery discriminated against him on the grounds of his sexual orientation.
It had been ordered for a private function marking International Day Against Homophobia last May.
Ashers said the slogan was against their Christian beliefs.
It is not yet known if Ashers will try and appeal the decision to a higher court.
The Equality Commission, which has a statutory obligation to monitor compliance with equality laws, had initially asked for the bakery on Belfast’s Royal Avenue to acknowledge it had breached legislation and offer “modest” damages to the customer.
When Ashers refused, the Equality Commission proceeded with the court action.
Their campaign was supported by the DUP who are furious at the decision prompting calls from MLAs to change the legislation through the Assembly.
After the court case today, Gareth Lee said he plans to give away the £500 he was award to a chartiy.
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