Baker wins landmark court case after refusing to make cake for lesbian wedding

A baker has won a landmark court case after refusing to make a cake for a lesbian wedding.

Cathy Miller, who owns Tastries Bakery in California, US, refused to create a cake for lesbian couple Eileen and Mireya Rodriguez-Del Rio in 2017.

She cited her Christian beliefs and reportedly gave the couple the name of another bakery.

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However, the couple were furious and lodged a discrimination lawsuit against Miller.

On Friday (October 21) – five years after the incident – a Kern County judge ruled she had acted lawfully.

Writing on Facebook after the win, Miller said: "Thank you Tastries friends and family for your support and encouragement over the last 5 years!!

"Yesterday, after much consideration and analysis of details regarding the Cathy’s Creations and Tastries Bakery discrimination case, Judge Eric Bradshaw ruled in favor of Cathy Miller.

"We appreciate your prayers and support as we joyfully continue to do business with you in the future."

The ruling has been hailed as a "victory" for the First Amendment – which guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition.

Miller was represented by lawyers from the Thomas More Society – a "conservative Roman Catholic public-interest law firm" according to their website.

Thomas More Society Special Counsel Charles LiMandri said in a statement: “We applaud the court for this decision.

“The freedom to practice one’s religion is enshrined in the First Amendment, and the United States Supreme Court has long upheld the freedom of artistic expression.”

The firm also criticised state lawyers for "questioning" Miller's beliefs at the deposition on Friday, where she was asked whether she followed everything in the bible including "not eating pigs" and "not eating shellfish".

"I do my best, but I'm a sinner, but I do my best," Miller said.

Americans remain split over the ruling, with several comments from both sides appearing on the bakery's Facebook page.

Some congratulated Miller for "standing firm in your faith" and "sticking to your moral beliefs".

Others have been posting images of same sex couples kissing on the bakery's posts.

One comment read: "I will delight in watching your business go down the toilet where it belongs. No hatemongers should be able to sell cakes."

Another said: "I love the cherry picking bigotry this ruling has allowed. Got to love intolerance and fear hidden behind an imaginary friend."

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