The Oregonian Quotes Karen O'Connor on Effects of Ore., Wash., Ky. Discrimination Case Decisions

Partner Karen O’Connor was quoted by reporter George Rede in an Oregonian article titled ” Sweet Cakes by Melissa case reflects U.S. trend: Discrimination laws trump religious beliefs.” The article discusses how decisions in cases in three states indicate a national trend of anti-discrimination laws trumping business owners’ claims to rights of freedom of expression or religion.

Each of the three cases involved business owners  citing their religious beliefs as reason for their refusal to sell products to gay customers. All were found to have violated state or local laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Said O’Connor, “What you [as a business owner] are entitled to is your right to practice your religion, but that doesn't mean you get to inflict it on others. In order for (business owners) to decline to sell a cake or flowers, they need to show that doing so affects their ability to practice their religion."

Read “Sweet Cakes by Melissa case reflects U.S. trend: Discrimination laws trump religious beliefs,” published March 11, 2015.