• News
    • Northern Ireland
    • Ireland
    • UK
    • Around The World
  • Marriage Equality NI
  • LGBT NI Network
  • Contact Us
The Gay Say
  • News
    • Northern Ireland
    • Ireland
    • UK
    • Around The World
  • Marriage Equality NI
  • LGBT NI Network
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • RSS

News

Peter Tatchell: “Ashers ‘gay cake’ verdict is defeat for freedom of expression”

Peter Tatchell: “Ashers ‘gay cake’ verdict is defeat for freedom of expression”
Danny
October 24, 2016

The Appeal Court in Belfast has today ruled that a local Christian-run business, Ashers Bakery, was wrong to refuse to decorate a cake with a pro-gay marriage message.

“This verdict is a defeat for freedom of expression. As well as meaning that Ashers can be legally forced to aid the promotion of same-sex marriage, it also implies that gay bakers could be forced by law to decorate cakes with homophobic slogans,” said human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation.featuredimagexpt

“It seems that businesses cannot now lawfully refuse a customer’s request to propagate a message, even if it is a sexist, xenophobic or anti-gay message and even if the business has a conscientious objection to it.

“Although I strongly disagree with Ashers opposition to marriage equality, in a free society neither they nor anyone else should be compelled to facilitate a political idea that they oppose.

“Ashers did not discriminate against the customer, Gareth Lee, because he was gay. They objected to the message he wanted on the cake: ‘Support gay marriage.’

“Discrimination against LGBT people is wrong and is rightly unlawful. But in a free society, people should be able to discriminate against ideas they disagree with. I am saddened that the court did not reach the same conclusion.

“The judgement opens a can of worms. It means that a Muslim printer could be obliged to publish cartoons of Mohammed and a Jewish printer could be required to publish a book that propagates Holocaust denial. It could also encourage far right extremists to demand that bakers and other service providers facilitate the promotion of anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim opinions.

“What the court has decided sets a dangerous, authoritarian precedent that is open to serious abuse.

“Discrimination against people should be illegal but not discrimination against ideas and opinions,” said Mr Tatchell.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Related Itemsasher's bakeryconscience clauseFeaturedgareth leegay cake rownorthern irelandpeter tatchell
View Comments (2)

2 Comments

  1. Jacki

    October 24, 2016 at 1:26 pm

    They’re not “discriminating against ideas” you stupid git, they’re discriminating against people and in a FREE society people should be allowed to be PEOPLE without some hater idiot discriminating against them as human beings. Stop making up excuses to oppress others. Your lame right to whinge about other people’s difference from you does not beat everyone else’s fundamental right to be treated equally. So shut up and sit down.

    Reply
  2. Timothy Sanford

    October 25, 2016 at 8:13 am

    You’re a dumbass for punishing these people. If Asher doesn’t want to bake, so what?? Stop being a damn crybaby and find someone else. Judge, shame on you go not understanding that we don’t want to bake. You should have told the couple to stop their damn whining and find someone else.

    I hope you UN-SUE THEM IMMEDIATELY THEN APOLOGIZE

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

News
October 24, 2016
Danny
Related Itemsasher's bakeryconscience clauseFeaturedgareth leegay cake rownorthern irelandpeter tatchell

More in News

  • Marriage Equality Northern Ireland
    Read More
    One step closer to equal marriage in Northern Ireland?

    The Democratic Unionist Party can no longer abuse the parliamentary veto known as the “petition of concern” to...

    Danny March 5, 2017
  • Read More
    It’s time for marriage equality in Northern Ireland #MarriageEqualityNI

    A huge thank you to everyone who has supported the #MarriageEqualityNI Thunderclap campaign. Northern Ireland is the last place in...

    Danny March 1, 2017
  • Read More
    #MarriageEqualityNI Thunderclap Project set to reach over 5.5 million+ people

    Please add your voice to the Thunderclap social media campaign and help get #MarriageEqualityNI trending on Twitter in...

    Danny February 26, 2017
  • Read More
    We need your help! #MarriageEqualityNI

    Video: Rebecca Connolly / Source: Youtube Please join us and add your support to the Thunderclap campaign...

    Danny February 12, 2017
  • Read More
    Support marriage equality in Northern Ireland on Thunderclap #MarriageEqualityNI

    Support the thunderclap campaign to get #MarriageEqualityNI trending on Twitter in Northern Ireland and across the world...

    Danny February 9, 2017
  • Read More
    Former Irish President Mary McAleese urges NI to “Consign Homophobia to History”

    Belfast-born ex-Irish president Mary McAleese has said LGBTI people are still at risk from those who are...

    Danny October 26, 2016
  • Marriage Equality Northern Ireland
    Read More
    Gerry Carroll MLA: “Stormont has let down the LGBT+ community for too long”

    Tomorrow (20.09.16), Gerry Carroll MLA will present to the NI Assembly, 20,000 petition signatures calling for an end to the...

    Danny September 19, 2016
  • Read More
    Peter Tatchell: “The time has come for the DUP to end its four decades of opposition to LGBT equality.”

    Peter Tatchell has voiced his support for the petition to end the veto on marriage equality in Northern Ireland. Speaking to...

    Danny September 17, 2016
Scroll for more
Tap
  • Popular

  • Top News

  • Comments

  • Marriage Equality Northern Ireland
    One step closer to equal marriage in Northern Ireland?
    Marriage Equality NIMarch 5, 2017
  • It’s time for marriage equality in Northern Ireland #MarriageEqualityNI
    In The SpotlightMarch 1, 2017
  • #MarriageEqualityNI Thunderclap Project set to reach over 5.5 million+ people
    In The SpotlightFebruary 26, 2017
  • We need your help! #MarriageEqualityNI
    In The SpotlightFebruary 12, 2017
  • Thoughts on the Upcoming Election – Just Josh says:

    […] a little biased, being someone who one day hopes…

  • Timothy Sanford says:

    You're a dumbass for punishing these people. If Asher doesn't…

  • Jacki says:

    They're not "discriminating against ideas" you stupid git, they're discriminating…

  • Brian Bloom says:

    I didn't have to have sex to know I was…

Advertisement

Write For Us

Advertisment

The Gay Say

Login

 

About Us

 

Write For Us

 

NI Scene Guide

 

Coming Out

 

Mygayzine Archive

 

Contact Us

The Gay Say

The Gay Say is a Northern Ireland based news / entertainment platform established to support the LGBT community.

Publicising LGBT rights issues is our main priority but we also cover a wide variety of topics and stories on other aspects of life that may affect Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people around the world.

TGS provides a voice for each and every individual who wants to have their say and we encourage stimulating debate across a wide range of topics.

Login | About Us | Write For Us | NI Scene Guide | Coming Out | Mygayzine Archive | Contact Us

Latest News

  • Marriage Equality Northern Ireland
    One step closer to equal marriage in Northern Ireland?
    Marriage Equality NIMarch 5, 2017
  • It’s time for marriage equality in Northern Ireland #MarriageEqualityNI
    In The SpotlightMarch 1, 2017
  • #MarriageEqualityNI Thunderclap Project set to reach over 5.5 million+ people
    In The SpotlightFebruary 26, 2017

Common Topics

Featured northern ireland marriage equality dup ireland equal marriage gay homophobia lgbt gay marriage lesbian same sex marriage transgender belfast petition of concern lgbt rights conscience clause referendum trans asher's bakery discrimination jim wells the rainbow project Dublin edwin poots equality gay rights petition protest the gay say

© 2016 The Gay Say Powered by Evofrog

Gerry Carroll MLA: “Stormont has let down the LGBT+ community for too long”
Former Irish President Mary McAleese urges NI to “Consign Homophobia to History”
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
%d bloggers like this:
    This website uses cookies to provide a better user experience. By using the site, you consent to the use of cookies in line with our cookie policy: Read more