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| 'Bert and Ernie' cake case in Northern Ireland sparks debate over human rights and religion | 'Bert and Ernie' cake case in Northern Ireland sparks debate over human rights and religion |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| The court case that saw a bakery fined £500 for discrimination after refusing to make a cake promoting same-sex marriage has provoked debate in Northern Ireland. | The court case that saw a bakery fined £500 for discrimination after refusing to make a cake promoting same-sex marriage has provoked debate in Northern Ireland. |
| A judge at Belfast County Court found that Ashers Baking Company acted unlawfully by refusing gay rights activist Gareth Lee’s request last year because it went against their Christian beliefs. | A judge at Belfast County Court found that Ashers Baking Company acted unlawfully by refusing gay rights activist Gareth Lee’s request last year because it went against their Christian beliefs. |
| The cake would have featured Bert and Ernie, two muppets from Sesame Street, and the slogan “support gay marriage” to mark International Anti Homophobia Day. Daniel McArthur and his wife Amy McArthur were fined for discriminating against a customer | The cake would have featured Bert and Ernie, two muppets from Sesame Street, and the slogan “support gay marriage” to mark International Anti Homophobia Day. Daniel McArthur and his wife Amy McArthur were fined for discriminating against a customer |
| District Judge Isobel Brownlie said although the bakers were entitled to their religious beliefs, implementing them at work impinged on others’ rights. | District Judge Isobel Brownlie said although the bakers were entitled to their religious beliefs, implementing them at work impinged on others’ rights. |
| "The defendants have unlawfully discriminated against the plaintiff on grounds of sexual discrimination," she added. | "The defendants have unlawfully discriminated against the plaintiff on grounds of sexual discrimination," she added. |
| "This is direct discrimination for which there can be no justification." | "This is direct discrimination for which there can be no justification." |
| But many people disagreed with the verdict, saying it was the bakers' right to refuse. | But many people disagreed with the verdict, saying it was the bakers' right to refuse. |
| Horrendous decision over the #Ashers case today. Apparently free will and thought no longer exists. Disappointing. http://t.co/pVvUBoElpl | Horrendous decision over the #Ashers case today. Apparently free will and thought no longer exists. Disappointing. http://t.co/pVvUBoElpl |
| I think it's unfair to call it discrimination if I'm not icing a cake that supports gay marriages if my belief is against it | I think it's unfair to call it discrimination if I'm not icing a cake that supports gay marriages if my belief is against it |
| @arctictay but I don't think it was discrimination because all that happened was they didn't make the cake for them because of their beleifs | @arctictay but I don't think it was discrimination because all that happened was they didn't make the cake for them because of their beleifs |
| @standardnews discrimination against the bakery if they don't want to bake a cake who has the right to make them | @standardnews discrimination against the bakery if they don't want to bake a cake who has the right to make them |
| Shops should be allowed to serve who they want right or wrong, this is human rights gone mad.Gay Cake http://t.co/OERVWs7y03 | Shops should be allowed to serve who they want right or wrong, this is human rights gone mad.Gay Cake http://t.co/OERVWs7y03 |
| This “gay cake” malarkey is ridiculous. Want to make a statement and use my company to do it? Should have the right to refuse you business. | This “gay cake” malarkey is ridiculous. Want to make a statement and use my company to do it? Should have the right to refuse you business. |
| Others supported it, saying the legal case for discrimination was clear. | Others supported it, saying the legal case for discrimination was clear. |
| Verdict in Gay Cake row: Asher's Bakery guilty of discrimination. Amazing day for LGBT* rights & equality in Northern Ireland! | Verdict in Gay Cake row: Asher's Bakery guilty of discrimination. Amazing day for LGBT* rights & equality in Northern Ireland! |
| #Ashers verdict is a triumph for equality. The law's prohibited discrimination. At long last the egalitarians can say "Let them eat cake" | #Ashers verdict is a triumph for equality. The law's prohibited discrimination. At long last the egalitarians can say "Let them eat cake" |
| Refusing to ice a gay marriage cake is discrimination. Simple as that. | Refusing to ice a gay marriage cake is discrimination. Simple as that. |
| A good day for fans of #gaycake. Though, isn't every day? I mean, cake is already amazing. A gay cake is fabulousness squared. | A good day for fans of #gaycake. Though, isn't every day? I mean, cake is already amazing. A gay cake is fabulousness squared. |
| Karen and Colin McArthur, who co-founded the Co Antrim bakery, were not in the courtroom but have said they may appeal against the verdict. | |
| Among the Christian supporters in the public gallery were Lagan Valley MLA Paul Givan, who is seeking to introduce a “conscience clause” into equality legislation. | |
| Gay marriage remains a divisive issue in Northern Ireland and the devolved Assembly at Stormont has repeatedly rejected attempts to have it legalised. | Gay marriage remains a divisive issue in Northern Ireland and the devolved Assembly at Stormont has repeatedly rejected attempts to have it legalised. |
| The debate comes days before Friday’s referendum on the question of legalising same-sex marriage in the Republic of Ireland. | The debate comes days before Friday’s referendum on the question of legalising same-sex marriage in the Republic of Ireland. |
| Additional reporting by PA | Additional reporting by PA |
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