The Christian bakers who refused to create a cake with a slogan in
support of same-sex marriage will hear the result of their appeal
against their conviction on Monday.
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) brought an action
against Belfast-based Ashers Baking Company after it refused to fulfil
an order by a gay rights activist, Gareth Lee, asking for a £36.50 cake
featuring the Sesame Street puppets, Bert and Ernie, with the campaign
slogan "Support Gay Marriage".
ECNI argued the company's actions violated equality laws in Northern
Ireland and alleged discrimination under two anti-discrimination
statutes.
Finding Ashers guilty in May last year, Judge Isobel Brownlie
said: "The defendants are not a religious organisation. They conduct a
business for profit. I believe the defendants did have the knowledge
that the plaintiff was gay.
"As much as I acknowledge their religious beliefs this is a business to provide service to all. The law says they must do that."
The case reflected a complex balancing of rights, with one side
arguing for freedom to express a religious belief and the other for
freedom from discrimination.
Among Ashers unlikely supporters was gay
rights campaigner Peter Tatchell,
while the original appeal hearing was postponed because of last-minute
fears raised by John Larkin QC, Attorney General in Northern Ireland,
about a potential conflict between the region's equality legislation and
European human rights laws.
Ashers is being supported by the Christian Institute.