American Family Association (AFA) is rallying around a Washington florist who may lose her home, business and savings because she declined to create floral arrangements for a same-sex wedding based on her faith convictions.
AFA recently issued an Action Alert to its one million friends and supporters and is calling on Christians around the country to pray for and support the florist.
“This is a time when Christians can unite for one of our sisters who is facing strong opposition for standing up for what she believes is right,” said AFA President Tim Wildmon. “Laws shouldn’t trump one freedom for another, and no American should have to choose between their faith and their business.”
A state judge ruled last week that Washington floral artist and grandmother Barronelle Stutzman must provide full support for wedding ceremonies—even if they are contrary to her faith. The court claims that her faith-based decision to refuse to provide floral designs for a homosexual marriage violated Washington law. Read more on AFA’s news service, OneNewsNow. In essence, the judge told the Christian florist she is entitled to her beliefs—but not entitled to act on them.
The court also ruled that both the state and the same-sex couple, who each filed lawsuits against her, may collect damages and attorneys’ fees, not only from her business, but from Stutzman personally. That means the 70-year-old may lose her business, her home and her savings because she lives her life and operates her business according to her beliefs.
Stutzman is standing firm, despite the three-year battle against anti-Christian bigotry. In 2012, when she declined to support a homosexual marriage, word spread quickly on gay social media. Before the couple would file a complaint, the state’s attorney general sued Stutzman’s business and, in an unprecedented move, her personally, according to AFA’s alert.
Through it all, she has remained strong in her faith and Christian resolve.
AFA’s Action Alert asks fellow Christians to stand with her and pray for her by signing the online letter and sharing her story with others.
Alliance Defending Freedom is representing Stutzman and will appeal the ruling.
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