Denver Baker Denies Gay Couple's Wedding Request
A Denver area baker is finding himself in hot water after taking a stand for what he believes in, even if it angers the community. The baker refused to make a wedding cake for a local same-sex couple, proclaiming days later that he stood by his decision. The man said he would rather close up shop than "compromise his beliefs" regarding gay marriage, in an interview with the Huffington Post.
Jack Phillips, who owns the Lakewood's Masterpiece Cakeshop is now experiencing backlash from the community as residents call for a boycott on the Denver suburb bakery in Lakewood, Colo.
Phillips said to local CBS affiliate KCNC-TV that he has no issue with making graduation cakes, birthday cakes, or any type of celebratory pastry for homosexuals, that is, except for wedding cakes. He doesn't support gay marriage and has turned down similar requests from same-sex couples in the past.
Dave Mullin and Charlie Craig had dated for two years before becoming engaged. The two went to the bakery to sample wedding cakes in preparation for their big day, but after a very short conversation with Phillips they were left to find their cake somewhere else. They posted their experience on Facebook quickly garnering a huge response KCNC-TV reported.
This past weekend protestors gathered outside the shop calling for the community to boycott the bakery. Another protest is planned for this coming weekend and a Facebook group called "Boycott Masterpiece Cakeshop" has nearly 550 members.
"We would close down that bakery before we closed down our beliefs," said Phillips to KCNC-TV. "That may be what it comes to... we'll see."
Sean Flynn is a Junior Writer for The Daily Meal. Follow him on Twitter @BuffaloFlynn