In the second such incident being reported in a week, Susie's Sweets, a cake shop Burns, Tennessee (Dickson County) has refused to provide a wedding cake for a same sex couple. The shop's owner, Susie Dennison, messaged the couple after their initial consultation. This is remarkably similar to what happened to a gay couple who initially consulted with The Rhinestone Wedding Chapel, only to later be told that the business would not serve same-sex couples.
"I really enjoyed our time together and I truly wish you the best but after realizing that your union will be of the same sex, I cannot with my spiritual conviction and beliefs, do your cake! I want you to know in saying that, I do love you in The Lord! Had I known before you left, I would have said something then!" Dennison wrote the couple after they left the shop, as evidenced by screenshot posted on the Facebook page, Hip Dickson.
The details were later confirmed to NewsChannel 5 by shop owner’s husband, according to the station’s report: “Susie Dennison's husband, Paul Dennison, later confirmed the information in the text exchange, say Ray and a bridesmaid came in over the weekend with a small child. It wasn't until Paul had read the groom's name on the paperwork that he realized that Ray was part of a same-sex couple.” Further, Paul confirmed that this is not the first same sex couple the shop has refused to serve.
In a statement, Executive Director of ACLU-TN Hedy Weinberg said, “Businesses open to the public can make decisions about what kinds of products or services they will provide – but they can’t pick and choose who they will serve. All people, including those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, should be treated fairly and equally under the law. When they walk into a business that’s open to the public, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Protecting people from discrimination is about treating others the way we want to be treated, and it is part of our constitution’s promise of equal treatment under the law for everyone.”