Judge rules florist illegally refused to work same-sex wedding over 'relationship with Jesus Christ'

A Washington florist who refused to provide arrangements for a same-sex couple's wedding broke state anti-discrimination laws, a judge ruled Wednesday.

In 2013, florist Baronelle Stutzman turned down a gay couple's request to provide arrangements for their wedding, explaining in a deposition she couldn't do it "because of my relationship with Jesus Christ." That decision prompted two lawsuits, the first from the couple and the second from Attorney General Bob Ferguson, the latter of whom successfully argued the refusal ran afoul of state consumer protection laws barring discrimination based on sexual orientation.

"Religious motivation does not excuse compliance with the law," Benton County Superior Court Judge Alexander C. Ekstrom ruled, adding that courts "have confirmed the power of the legislative branch to prohibit conduct it deems discriminatory."

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