A Christian T-shirt printing company in Kentucky has been found guilty of discrimination for refusing to print gay pride shirts and is being forced to undergo diversity training.
The Gay and Lesbian Services Organization filed a complaint in 2012 against Hands On Originals T-shirt printing company, saying their refusal to print the T-shirts violated the city’s fairness ordinance, which prohibits public businesses from refusing service based on sexual orientation.
“No one should be forced by the government or by another citizen to endorse or promote ideas with which they disagree,” the Alliance Defending Freedom, which is defended Hands On Originals, said.
The ADF argued that such a ruling cuts both ways because it would require printers to do business with controversial groups like Westboro Baptist Church.
“No one wants to live in that kind of America—a place where people who identify as homosexual are forced to promote the Westboro Baptists and where printers with sincere religious convictions are forced to promote the message of the GLSO,” they said.
“In America, we don’t force people to express messages that are contrary to their convictions,” co-counsel Bryan Beuman said.
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