Twenty Pennsylvania-based culinary industry leaders announced their opposition to anti-LGBT discrimination this week. A Human Rights Campaign-led amicus brief included more than 200 bakeries from around the country.
The brief stemmed from the pending Supreme Court case Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. In July 2012, Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins went to Masterpiece Cakeshop of Denver to purchase a cake for their upcoming wedding reception. When the bakery’s owner, Jack Phillips, refused to sell them a cake because they were a same-sex couple, Craig and Mullins filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and later filed suit. Phillips contends he had a right to refuse service to the couple due to religious and free-speech grounds.
Washington, D.C.-based international law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP authored the brief for the case, for which the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in December.
“These companies are sending a powerful message to LGBTQ people and their families that America’s leading businesses believe in equality,” said HRC Deputy Director of Employee Engagement Beck Bailey in a statement. “Across the country, corporate leaders know that businesses should be open for all. A business owner’s personal beliefs should never be reason enough to discriminate against a customer because of who they are or who they love.”
The following Pennsylvania-based bakeries were listed on the brief:
- Christina Barber of Velvet Sky Bakery in Jenkintown
- Danielle Callahan of Grown Up Treats LLC in Chester
- Jared Cohen of West Avenue Restaurant in Dresher
- Steven Dorcelien of Bright Yellow Creamery in Philadelphia
- Nicole Endrikat Matos of Queen Bee Pastry in Philadelphia
- Nima Etemadi of Cake Life Bake Shop in Philadelphia
- Lily Fischer of Cake Life Bake Shop in Philadelphia
- Kevin Hart of Chef’s Table Catering in Philadelphia
- Richard Hogan of Culinaragourmet in New Hope
- Julia Izenberh of Izenberg’s Deli, Bakery, Catering, & Restaurant in Conshohocken
- Kim Laughlin of Park Avenue Pastries in Chalfont
- Jennifer Low of The Frosted Fox Cake Shop in Philadelphia
- Steven Nawalany of Lipkins Bakery in Philadelphia
- Erika Urso-Deutsch of Love Bites by Erika in Easton
- Mason Waterman of Rosa’s Fresh Pizza in Philadelphia
- Ken Weinstein of Trolley Car Diner in Philadelphia
- Joshua White of Swiss Haus Bakery in Philadelphia
- Andrew Wood of Russet Restaurant in Philadelphia
- Kristin Wood of Russet Restaurant in Philadelphia
- Peggy Zwerver of Earth Bread + Brewery in Philadelphia