AFA Tries To Re-Frame Case Against Anti-Gay Washington State Florist

I received an email "alert" from the anti-gay American Family Association today extolling the woes of the Washington state florist (and grandmother!) who was found guilty of violating the state's public accommodation laws.

Note how AFA puts their "spin" on things:

A state judge ruled this week that Washington floral artist and grandmother Barronelle Stutzman must provide full support for wedding ceremonies that are contrary to her faith.

The judge said the 70-year-old grandmother may lose not only her business, but also her home and savings because she lives her life and operates her business according to her beliefs.

Note again how they let you know she's a grandmother - as if grandmother's should get to break the law...

The state judge ruled Stutzman's business could not discriminate against a specific group of people.

Stutzman isn't in this predicament because she "operates her business according to her beliefs." She VIOLATED a state law that protects citizens from discrimination. Period.

From the Huffington Post:

Benton County Superior Court Judge Alexander C. Ekstrom found that the florist violated consumer protections when she wouldn't sell flowers for the same-sex wedding of a longtime customer because of her religious beliefs. The couple was protected by the Washington Law Against Discrimination, which prohibits bias based on sexual orientation, the court ruled.

Plus, the AFA exaggerates the fines Stutzman may be required to pay. According to the state attorney general's office, she may be required to pay $2,000 per violation. Not exactly her entire "business, home and savings."

The point of this post is to expose how these groups like to frame and exaggerate their arguments so they can pretend to be rational.