Bakery owner in ‘gay cake’ row vows to fight on

The Christian owner of a bakery due to go to court over the refusal to bake a pro-same-sex marriage cake has said he will not back down.

Last July, Ashers Baking Company – based in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland – refused the request of a gay rights activist for a cake showing the message ‘Support Gay Marriage’ above an image of Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie.

The bakery vowed to “make a stand” after it was found to have broken anti-discrimination laws, and the Equality Commission is taking the company to court after the bakery rejected a legal settlement.

Bakery owner Daniel McArthur spoke to protesters outside the 2,200-capacity Waterfront Hall in Belfast, some of who were unable to get seats inside.

He vowed that the bakery would fight on.

According to reports, £3,000 was raised in funds from donations to defend the bakery.

First Minister Peter Robinson earlier this week lambasted the Equality Commission for spending funds to pursue the case.

In response to the row, the Democratic Unionist Party has introduced a bill that would exempt religious people from equality laws.