The Supreme Court in Washington has decided to hear the case of floral artist Barronelle Stutzman who has been ordered to pay fines and attorney's fees by a lower court for refusing to provide her services to a same sex ceremony on grounds of her religious beliefs.
The 70-year-old florist was sued by the state attorney general and the American Civil Liberties Union after acting consistently with her faith but Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing her pushed for the case to be tackled by the High Court.
According to a report The Daily Signal, Stutzman is faced with a fine of $2,000 for violating Washington's anti-discrimination law, another $7.91 to compensate Ingersoll for having to drive to find a new florist, as well as legal fees that reach seven figures.
According to her lawyers at Alliance Defending Freedom, Stutzman's legal fees are estimated to be seven figures which she said will result in her losing everything.
A Gofundme drive has been started to help Barronelle with her legal fees, reported the Telegraph.
The defense attorneys cited that Stutzman, who owns Arlene's Flowers in Richland, was unfairly judged for her refusal to provide services to Rob Ingersoll, her friend, because even if she was not supportive of such a ceremony, she did refer him to another florist in the area to provide the high quality arrangements as well as wedding support he required, reported ADF Media.
"This case is not about refusing service on the basis of sexual orientation or dislike for another person who is preciously created in God's image. I sold flowers to Rob for years. I helped him find someone else to design his wedding arrangements. I count him as a friend. I want to believe that a state as diverse as Washington, with our long commitment to personal and religious freedoms, would be as willing to honor my right to make those kinds of choices as it is to honor Rob's right to make his," she wrote in an Op Ed for The Seattle Times.
"Barronelle and many others like her around the country have been willing to serve any and all customers, but they are understandably not willing to promote any and all messages. We hope the Washington Supreme Court will affirm the broad protections that both the U.S. Constitution and the Washington Constitution afford to freedom of speech and conscience," said ADF Senior Counsel Kristen Waggoner.
