RICHLAND, Wash. — Barronelle Stutzman, a Richland florist currently being prosecuted by the state of Washington for discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation, has accused the state Attorney General of vilifying her and her faith.
On Monday, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson issued a response to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision claiming that, unlike the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, Washington courts showed no hostility in their lawsuit against Arlene’s Flowers. He reiterated his confidence that he will win his case against the Richland florist Stutzman.
But lawyers representing Stutzman say the ruling by the Supreme Court could have a significant effect on this case. Kristen Waggoner of the Alliance Defending Freedom said that the AG has “repeatedly and overtly demeaned” Stutzman’s faith, and that his language is in conflict with the Supreme Court’s recognition that it is inappropriate for government to compare religious beliefs to “defenses of slavery.”
Stutzman herself added that for the AG, “this case has been about making an example of me–crushing me–all because he disapproves of what I believe about marriage.”
A spokesperson for the Attorney General responds to that comment by pointing out that Ferguson only requested Stutzman be charged a dollar for legal costs and fees and the court imposed a $1,000 fine for her violation of state civil rights law.
Briefs have been filed, but arguments are still pending in the case Arlene’s Flowers Inc. v. State of Washington.
Full text of Stutzman’s statement can be read below.
“I serve everyone. What I can’t do is create custom floral arrangements that celebrate events or express messages at odds with my faith. For that, the attorney general has relentlessly prosecuted me, even suing me in my personal capacity.
“The man who asked me to design the floral arrangements for his same-sex wedding—Rob Ingersoll—was my customer and friend for over nine years. I knew that he was gay, but that didn’t matter because I serve everyone. He enjoyed my custom floral designs, and I loved creating them for him. I would gladly serve Rob if he were to come back to my shop today. The attorney general has always ignored that part of my case, choosing to vilify me and my faith instead of respecting my religious beliefs about marriage.
“When the state trial court ruled against me at the attorney general’s request, I wrote the attorney general a letter urging him ‘to drop’ the personal claims that risk stripping away ‘my home, business, and other assets.’ He didn’t do that. For him, this case has been about making an example of me—crushing me—all because he disapproves of what I believe about marriage.”