Barronelle Stutzman

Barronelle Stutzman
Born 1945 (age 70–71)
Other names D.b.a. Arlene's Flowers
Occupation Florist
Known for Influential legal case regarding religious and civil rights.
Religion Christianity

Barronelle Stutzman is a Christian florist and business owner of Arlene's Flowers in Richland, Washington, United States. She was involved in several controversial lawsuits which gained national attention due to both their religious and civil rights implications.[1][2] She has since appeared on TV as a public speaker advocating for religious freedom.[3]

Biography

Ms. Stutzman was born in 1945[4] and resides in Richland, Washington. She has eight children and 23 grandchildren.[3]

Legal Case

The first two legal cases, Ingersoll v. Arlene's Flowers and State of Washington v. Arlene's Flowers were consolidated by Benton County Superior Court Judge Salvador Mendoza into a single case for purposes of discovery.[5]

The first civil suit filed was Ingersoll v. Arlene's Flowers, in which a gay couple were denied floral arrangements for their wedding by Stutzman's business. She had been servicing the couple for several years, and would have provided them the flowers, but based on her religious belief was unable to participate in beautifying the wedding.[6][7] The ACLU represented the couple, Robert Ingersoll and his partner Curt Freed, in the lawsuit against the small business on grounds of discrimination.[8] ACLU attorneys proposed a settlement in the suit if she publicly apologized, donated $5,000 to a local LGBT youth center and stopped refusing to service people due to sexual orientation.[9] The ADF countered the case stating the small business should not be required to violate deeply held religious beliefs.[10]

The second lawsuit was a consumer protection suit, State of Washington v. Arlene's Flowers, filed by attorney general Bob Ferguson, in response to the civil lawsuit he read about on Facebook,[11] in order to uphold Washington state's Consumer Protection Act.[12] The case would have been settled with a penalty of $2,000 under the Consumer Protection Act, a $1 payment for costs, and agreement not to discriminate in the future. However, Stutzman responded that she would not comply, citing the state's constitution 'freedom of conscience in all matters of religious sentiment'.[13] On January 7, 2015 Benton County Superior Court Judge Alexander Ekstrom ruled she was personally liable, concluding that Stutzman must provide full wedding support for same-sex ceremonies, including custom design work to decorate the ceremony, delivery to the forum, staying at the ceremony to touch up arrangements, and assisting the wedding party.[14][15]

The third lawsuit, Arlene's Flowers v. Ferguson, was filed as a countersuit by Stutzman to claim financial damages caused by the previous two lawsuits.[11]

On February 18, 2015, Benton County Superior Court Judge Alexander Ekstrom ruled that she had violated the state's anti-discrimination law in both cases.[16][17] On February 19, 2015, Stutzman stated she would appeal the ruling.[18] On March 27, 2015 Judge Alexander Ekstrom ordered Ms. Stutzman to pay a $1,000 fine, plus $1 for court costs and fees.[19][20]

Stutzman had received over $174,000 in individual donations on GoFundMe,[21] prior to GoFundMe removing her donation page due to an alleged terms of service violation.[22]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Barronelle Stutzman, Arlene's Flower Shop Florist, Refuses Washington Gay Wedding Job Because Of Religion". Huffington Post. March 7, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  2. ↑ Burk, Denny (February 20, 2015). "A florist loses religious freedom, and much more". CNN. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Exclusive: Florist who refuses to do gay wedding speaks out". Fox News. February 24, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Florist sues for violation of religious liberty". WND. May 16, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Judge refuses to recuse himself in Washington state gay wedding flowers case". StarTribune. June 29, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Washington State Sues Florist for Declining to Beautify Same-Sex 'Wedding'". National Catholic Register. April 16, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Arlene's Flowers in Richland sued by gay couple". Tri-City Herald. April 18, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Ingersoll v. Arlene's Flowers". ACLU. February 18, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  9. ↑ Turnbull, Lornet (April 17, 2013). "State's case against florist fires up gay-marriage critics". Seattle Times. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Wash. florist answers ACLU lawsuit". ADF. May 21, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  11. 1 2 "Wash. florist will not wilt, sues AG to reclaim religious freedom". ADF. May 16, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Wash. state attorney general sues florist for refusing to supply same-sex wedding". Washington Times. April 11, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  13. ↑ Smith, Samuel (February 23, 2015). "Florist Who Refused Gay Wedding Offered Settlement; I Will Not Be Like Judas, Betray Jesus for Money, She Replied". Christian Post. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Judge: Arlene's Flowers owner can be sued in her personal capacity". Tri-State Herald. January 7, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Wash. floral artist's home, savings at risk of state seizure after court ruling". ADF. February 18, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Court Rules Florist Discriminated Against Gay Couple by Refusing to Sell Flowers for Their Wedding". ACLU. February 19, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  17. ↑ Kaplan, Sarah (February 20, 2015). "Washington florist rejects settlement offer after court rules she can't refuse service to gay weddings". Washington Post. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  18. ↑ "Florist who refused to do flowers for gay wedding to appeal". Associated Press. February 19, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  19. ↑ Nunnally, Derrick (March 27, 2015). "Judge Fines Washington Florist Over Same-Sex Wedding Flowers". ABC News. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  20. ↑ Smith, Samuel (March 30, 2015). "Christian Grandma-Florist Fined $1,001, Ordered to Work Gay Weddings but Refuses, Says She Won't Betray Jesus; State Threatens to Take Her Home, Business Away". Christian Post. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  21. ↑ Smith, Samuel (April 29, 2015). "GoFundMe Removes Christian Grandma-Florist Barronelle Stutzman's Fundraising Page; 2nd Christian Business Facing 'Ruin' Removed From Site This Week". Christian Post. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  22. ↑ Ohlheiser, Abby (May 1, 2015). "After GoFundMe shuts down Christian bakery crowdfunding, it bans 'discriminatory' campaigns". Washington Post. Retrieved August 30, 2015.

External links

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