Bakery's Pro-Gay Stand Earns Thousands Online

A Florida bakery’s refusal to bake an anti-gay wedding cake has thrust it into the spotlight as a national debate wages on a business owners’ right to refuse service. It’s also sparked an online fundraising campaign that has raked in more than $14,000 since its April 2 launch.

Cut the Cake made headlines last week when Joshua Feuerstein, an Arizona evangelist, posted a video online calling the business to task for its refusal to put the words “We do not support gay marriage” on a cake, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Since that video was posted – and subsequently taken down – the small shop has reportedly lost a lot of business while its owners field calls from all over the country.

“The phone call (from Joshua Feuerstein) we thought was a prank since yesterday was April 1st,” the gofundme campaign explains. “Day One of the posting has taken our business to a complete halt. Both phone lines are currently ringing all day long. People continue calling about ‘fake orders,’ calling us ‘antichrists’ and ‘bigots’ and cursing us out.”

See Also:

• Federal Judge OKs Same-Sex Marriages in Florida
• Same-Sex Marriage Licenses: What You Need to Know

Cyndol Knarr, the bakery co-owner’s daughter, launched the fundraising campaign to help the business stay afloat in the wake of the controversy, the Sentinel reported. As of Monday, harassing calls kept pouring in, but so did donations and declarations of support.

Feuerstein’s call to Cut the Cake was prompted by his desire to make a point about Indiana’s proposed law that would enable businesses to refuse service based on religious beliefs, the Sentinel reported. That proposal has sparked heated debate and also thrust an Indiana business into the spotlight.

Memories Pizza’s owners, however, stand on the other side of the aisle from Cut the Cake. Their statement saying they would refuse to cater a gay wedding has also drawn fire. A gofundme campaign for that business has raised $842,442 so far.

While it’s unclear what will ultimately happen with Indiana’s law, it’s clear that Cut the Cake’s owners are pleased with the outpouring of support they’ve received.

“We at Cut the Cake would like to say thank you for all the support everyone has been giving us in the past 24 hours,” the shop’s Facebook page reads. “Thank you for helping to make a wrong into a right.”

The shop has even scheduled a meet and greet with supporters for April 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its 1271 U.S. 17 92 in Longwood.

“Due to the overwhelming support of the local community, we would like to open our doors (on our scheduled day off) and meet our supporters and offer items for purchase,” the open Facebook invitation reads.

Gay marriages began being performed in Florida earlier this year after a federal judge declared the state’s ban unconstitutional.

Photo from Facebook

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