Frank Haley of KDAZ AM730 REPORTS: RICHLAND, Wash. — A florist in eastern Washington state fined $1,000 for refusing to sell a same-sex couple wedding flowers and also facing a consumer-protection lawsuit has netted more than $85,000 in donations. Nearly half of the money for 70-year-old Barronelle Stutzman came in the last several days.
Supporters compare Stutzman’s situation to an Indiana pizza shop that raised more than $800,000 after closing when the owner said the shop wouldn’t cater a gay wedding.
Stutzman, owner of Arlene’s Flowers and Gifts in Richland, Washington, received the fine in March after refusing to serve a same-sex couple in 2013.
Stutzman says same-sex weddings go against her Southern Baptist beliefs.
