RICHLAND — The dispute over a Richland florist who declined to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding goes to court Friday. Oral arguments are scheduled in Benton County Superior Court.
The state attorney general’s office sued the owner of Arlene’s Flowers, Baronelle Stutzman, saying she violated consumer protection law by refusing service in March to customers Robert Ingersoll and Curt Freed.
Stutzman said she has no problem with homosexual customers but won’t support gay weddings because of her religious beliefs.
In addition to the state, the ACLU sued Stutzman on behalf of the Kennewick couple. A religious freedom group, Alliance Defending Freedom, countersued the state on behalf of Stutzman.
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