Judge Rules Oregon Bakery Discriminated Against Gay Couple

An Oregon bakery that refused on religious grounds to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple violated the state's anti-discrimination laws because the shop is not a registered religious institution, state officials said on Monday.

Sweet Cakes by Melissa, in the Portland area, might have to pay fines of $75,000 or more to two women to whom it refused service in 2013, a Bureau of Labor and Industries administrative judge ruled last week. A hearing to determine the damages is set for March 10.

"The law provides an exemption for religious organizations and schools, but does not allow private businesses to discriminate based on sexual orientation, just as they cannot legally deny service based on race, sex, age, disability or religion," bureau spokesman Charlie Burr said in a statement.

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