Gresham bakery in gay wedding cake case closes

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Gresham bakery that denied service to a same-sex couple has closed its door permanently.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports (https://is.gd/4y2J8j) that according to a Sept. 29 Facebook post on a page for Sweet Cakes by Melissa the business shut down last month, though the owners continue to sell cakes from their home.

Three years ago, the bakery refused to make a wedding cake for Laurel and Rachel Bowman-Cryer. The owners, Aaron and Melissa Klein, said their refusal was prompted by religious beliefs.

Last year, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries ordered the Kleins to pay $135,000 in damages to the couple. The Kleins paid the damages last year, but the couple has yet to receive the award. The money will remain in a government escrow account until the end of appeals.

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Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com