One of the Left’s malicious portrayals of conservatives is that we are intolerant and prone to violence.
Alas, the evidence is quite to the contrary.
Edie and David Delorme own Kern’s Bake Shop in Long View, Texas, and are members of a local Baptist church.
On Feb. 17, 2016, a homosexual couple, Ben Valencia and Luis Marmolejo, came to the shop and asked to buy a cake for their wedding.
When Edie realized it was for a same-sex wedding, she politely refused. Edie told Fox News: “We don’t do cakes that might conflict with our spiritual convictions. It was not something personal against the two young men. We just need to be able to run our business in a way that honors God.”
First Liberty Institute lawyer Michael Berry said, “She (Edie) said, ‘I’m sorry, but we don’t make same-sex wedding cakes, but here’s a list of other bakers in the area who would most likely be able to meet your needs. It was pretty civil. The gentleman said, ‘Okay’ and left.”
Julie Brown Patton reports for The Gospel Herald, March 15, 2016, that a few days later, the Delormes were informed by a local newspaper reporter that Valencia and Marmolejo were publicly accusing them of discrimination.
Harassment and threats poured in, including vile posts on the bakers’ Facebook and Yelp pages.
Edie said, “Our son got a call where they threatened to burn our house down and violate him with a broken beer bottle. That was probably the worst.” The couple also have an eight-year-old daughter.
Attorney Berry said: “The Delormes’ property has been damaged. They’ve experienced minor vandalism at their home, including their mailbox being destroyed. We reported both the vandalism and the threats they have received to the Harrison County Sheriff. The Sheriff’s office sent a deputy to talk to the Delormes and they are now patrolling the area to make sure no additional acts are perpetrated against the Delormes. Americans value and protect our freedoms, especially freedom of expression and religious liberty. For America to remain free and prosperous, we must secure the rights of small business owners to operate their businesses according to their beliefs.”
David Delormes said he and his wife “try to live scripture every day. Our faith is who we are.” The couple said they do not want to discriminate against same-sex couples but that they have to follow their religious beliefs. In the past, they have consistently refused to bake alcohol, tobacco, gambling, or risqué-themed cakes.
H/t FOTM‘s maziel
~Eowyn