A California appellate court ruled that Tastries Bakery owner Cathy Miller unlawfully denied service to a same-sex couple seeking a wedding cake, violating the state’s Unruh Civil Rights Act. The panel's unanimous decision overturned a prior ruling in favor of Miller, confirming that discrimination based on sexual orientation is illegal in business practices. The case began in 2017 when the couple was refused service, and it led to a state investigation and a lawsuit from the California Civil Rights Department, which supported the couple in upholding civil rights protections.
Miller, a devout Christian, argued that selling a wedding cake for a same-sex couple would violate her religious beliefs, claiming it's not just a product but a message.
The ruling reinforces that businesses cannot deny services based on sexual orientation under the state's Unruh Civil Rights Act, ensuring full and equal accommodations for all.
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