Bakery appeals pro-gay marriage cake decision

AN APPEAL by the Christian-run bakery at the centre of a discrimination case over its refusal to bake a cake embellished with a pro-gay marriage slogan has been adjourned for three months, writes Rose Gamble.

Last year Ashers bakery in Belfast was ordered to pay a £500 fine for refusing to make the cake for gay activists. A Belfast court found that customer Gareth Lee had been discriminated against on the grounds of his sexual orientation. Lee brought the case to court with the backing of the Northern Ireland Equality Commission. The commission paid almost £39,000 in legal fees.

Writing in The Guardian gay rights activist Peter Tatchell said he now believes the original court decision, which he had previously supported, set a worrying precedent. “Much as I wish to defend the gay community, I also want to defend freedom of conscience, expression and religion,” he wrote.

The case has been rescheduled for 9 May.