Tag Archives: retail

Via the Grand Rapids NBC affiliate: The owner of a Grandville auto repair shop says he won’t hesitate “to refuse service to an openly gay person or persons.” Brian Klawiter, the owner of Dieseltec on Ottawa Avenue in Grandville, posted the statement to his company’s Facebook page on Tuesday because he says the voices of those who have Christian, conservative …

From a joint statement posted last night to the corporate blog of the Gap: Today Gap Inc. and Levi Strauss & Co. are calling on retail and apparel companies, and other businesses, to join us in speaking out against legalized discrimination. Both of our companies have a long history of standing up for equal rights and equal opportunity for all. …

Via the Indianapolis Star: Gov. Mike Pence, scorched by a fast-spreading political firestorm, told The Star on Saturday that he will support the introduction of legislation to “clarify” that Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act does not promote discrimination against gays and lesbians. “I support religious liberty, and I support this law,” Pence said in an exclusive interview. “But we …

Via the Associated Press: A Washington state florist who refused to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding was fined $1,000 Friday, plus $1 for court costs and fees. Benton County Superior Judge Alexander Ekstrom’s ruling gives Barronelle Stutzman, owner of Arlene’s Flowers and Gifts in Richland, Washington, 60 days to pay the state for her refusal to serve Robert Ingersoll …

Pence has issued a press release: Today I signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, because I support the freedom of religion for every Hoosier of every faith. The Constitution of the United States and the Indiana Constitution both provide strong recognition of the freedom of religion but today, many people of faith feel their religious liberty is under attack by …

Via the Belfast Telegraph: A legal case involving a Christian baker who refused to make a cake bearing a pro-gay marriage slogan cannot be determined on which side shouts loudest, a court in Belfast has been told. Northern Ireland’s Equality Commission is bringing the case against family-run Ashers Bakery on behalf of gay rights activist Gareth Lee, whose order was …

Via USA Today: In a jolt touching pantries across the globe, H.J. Heinz and Kraft Foods Group (KRFT) will merge into the world’s fifth-largest food and beverage company — bent on cutting costs, growing internationally and evolving into a more consumer-focused company. The massive merger, valued at about $36 billion, will allow Kraft “to move and grow faster than we …

Via the Belfast Telegraph: Hundreds of people including three senior DUP politicians had to be refused entry to a full-to-capacity Waterfront Hall in Belfast last night as thousands of Christians turned up for a rally in support of the Newtownabbey bakery firm which is going to court to defend their refusal to bake a cake for a gay activist. Former …

Via the Indianapolis Star: The organizers of Gen Con, the city’s largest convention in attendance and economic impact, are threatening to move the event elsewhere if Gov. Mike Pence signs controversial religious freedom legislation that could allow business owners to refuse services to same-sex couples. “Legislation that could allow for refusal of service or discrimination against our attendees will have …

“The legislation, SB 101, is about respecting and reassuring Hoosiers that their religious freedoms are intact. I strongly support the legislation and applaud the members of the General Assembly for their work on this important issue. I look forward to signing the bill when it reaches my desk.” – Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, reacting to yesterday’s overwhelming passage of the …

Via press release: “As a seminary graduate, this bill is deeply offensive,” said Heather Cronk, co-director of GetEQUAL. “The fact that religion is being used as a smokescreen for deeply hateful and vile sentiments by right-wing extremists, and then cemented into law, is not just un-Christian – it’s un-American.” As activist Scott Wooledge puts it: “I’ve engaged in the battles …

Watch it here. The bill is expected to be approved but the Democrats are really going to bat for us. UPDATE: The bill has passed overwhelmingly. Gov. Mike Pence is expected to sign it immediately.

As the above HRC map shows, anti-LGBT legislation continues to sweep the nation in advance of the coming ruling by SCOTUS. It appears that Indiana’s license to discriminate bill will be the next to go on the books. Dominic Holden reports at Buzzfeed: Of the 13 religious freedom bills introduced in state legislatures around the United States this year — …

In an op-ed published yesterday by the Washington Examiner, Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) and Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) argue that since Chipotle can choose to only buy humanely-raised pork, businesses can choose to only serve heterosexuals. Seriously. An excerpt: It is crucial that the same freedom of conscience enjoyed by the leadership of Chipotle remain equally available to business owners …

AL.com reports: Continental Bakery owner Carole Griffin has been making food and beverages for the people of Birmingham for three decades, a calling that has brought her success and visibility. During that time, Griffin has always made decisions about who to hire to help at her cafes without granting preference to anyone based on their gender, sexuality or sexual preference. …

Via the Indianapolis Star: An Indiana House committee today approved controversial religious freedom legislation after those on both sides of the issue rallied in the hallways of the Statehouse. The House Judiciary Committee voted 9-4 to send the measure to the full House for consideration. Supporters say Senate Bill 101 is necessary to protect the freedom of people with strong …

Via the BBC: Ikea is to close down an online magazine in Russia over fears it could flout the country’s law banning the promotion of gay values to minors. In a statement, the furniture giant said some articles in Ikea Family Live could be viewed in Russia as gay “propaganda”. The controversial law was approved by President Vladimir Putin in …

Democratic Oklahoma House Rep. Emily Virgin yesterday introduced a perfect amendment to the bill that would legalize anti-gay discrimination by businesses. Via Raw Story: “Any person not wanting to participate in any of the activities set forth in subsection A of this section based on sexual orientation, gender identity or race of either party to the marriage shall post notice …

During the Great Chicken Uproar of 2012, then-NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn demanded that the NYU cafeteria close its tiny walk-up Chick-Fil-A window, which remains the chain’s sole outpost in the nation’s largest city. But not for very much longer as this summer the company will open its biggest store ever, a three-story 5000sf outlet near Herald Square. “We are …