Georgia Business Owner Refuses to Print Gay Wedding Invitations

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A national printing franchise is taking heat after a report that one of its locations in Gwinnett County, Ga., refused to print wedding invitations for a gay couple.

The owner of an AlphaGraphics location in Suwanee, Ga., reportedly refused a printing job from Paige Beckwith and her bride-to-be due to his religious beliefs.

The owner, identified as Alan Akins, turned down the business “because he does not support same sex marriage,” Beckwith told WXIA-TV.

The owner told the TV station he would print anything for the couple except wedding invitations.

On Monday, Akins told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “We never discriminated against anyone, for any reason,” but did not go into detail.

AlphaGraphics, which has more than 260 locations around the world, according to its website, apologized to Beckwith and offered the printing for free.

The Utah-based company posted the following statement on Facebook on April 23:

“We have recently become aware of a matter involving a customer at our @AlphaGraphicsSuwanee Franchise location. As a Franchisor, we do not discriminate against individuals for any reason, nor do we endorse the varying individual views of our independent Franchisees. We as the Franchisor have reached out to the customer and are working to resolve this matter.”

But, that wasn’t enough for commentors on AlphaGraphics’ Facebook page, with many demanding the company break its ties with the Suwanee franchise.

Many see the story as bringing the national debate on same-sex marriage, and the issue of businesses refusing services to gay and lesbian couples, into Atlanta’s backyard.

Georgia legislators debated a controversial religious freedom bill in its recent session that critics viewed as an open door to discrimination. Senate Bill 129 was passed in the Senate, but stalled in the House, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The bill is similar to legislation in Arkansas and Indiana.

(Photo: Snap Shots by Allie/www.11alive.com)