Dear John,
Have you ever taken a stand, knowing that it would be a defining moment in your life?
For Washington floral artist Barronelle Stutzman, gently telling her longtime friend and customer that she could not create custom floral art celebrating his same-sex wedding wasn’t that defining moment.
The defining moment for Barronelle came later.
It came after discovering that the Washington attorney general had filed a lawsuit against her without any formal complaint ever being made. It came after the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also sued her, putting her business and life savings at risk if she loses her case. It came after Barronelle began receiving hate mail and death threats, forcing her to install security cameras and change her regular routines for safety reasons.
Barronelle’s defining moment was her decision to trust and watch God work.
Now, that decision brings her to the U.S. Supreme Court.
John, this is what courage looks like. This 76-year-old grandmother is willing to risk so much for her freedom—and yours.
If the U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Barronelle’s case, those who are working to strip away your religious freedom here in America will have won a significant battle.
With this precedent in hand, there’s no telling what the government could one day force you to do against your religious objections.
We can’t let that happen.
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No one should be forced to choose between their faith and their livelihood
It never should have gotten this far, John.
Barronelle knew her longtime customer Rob Ingersoll was in a same-sex relationship. That never mattered to her; Barronelle serves everyone, and she served Rob for nearly 10 years. She considered him a friend.
But when Rob asked Barronelle to create custom floral arrangements celebrating his same-sex wedding, Barronelle knew in her heart that it wasn’t something she could do because of her belief that marriage is between one man and one woman.
So Barronelle walked Rob to a quiet part of her shop, took his hand in her own, and gently told him why she couldn’t do what he asked. She then referred him to three floral artists who she knew would do a good job for him. Rob said that he understood, and they hugged before he left the shop.
Barronelle thought that was the end of it. But the situation escalated quickly.
Rob’s partner posted on social media about what happened. The post garnered so much attention that the Washington attorney general heard about it through news reports and decided to file a lawsuit against Barronelle. Then, the ACLU joined in and also sued her.
As the storm around Barronelle grew, she experienced first-hand the attacks that many are facing for daring to run their business and live their lives consistently with their faith.
Now, Barronelle has spent the last seven years in court while the State of Washington and the ACLU have done everything they can to make an example of her.
They’ve assaulted Barronelle’s character and her professional reputation. And the ACLU continues to threaten Barronelle with financial ruin from crippling attorney’s fees.
John, this has been a long and drawn out legal battle. And ADF is committed to funding Barronelle’s legal defense at no cost to her—no matter how long it takes.
But this work isn’t possible without God’s blessing (John 15:5) and your faithful prayers and support.
That’s why your tax-deductible gift today is so critical.
God continues to bless ADF with opportunities to fight and win for freedom at the U.S. Supreme Court, and you are a key part of that, John.
Because of the support of people like you, ADF has become one of the most successful U.S. Supreme Court advocates, having won 11 cases at the high court since 2011.
Now Barronelle needs a win. And we all have a stake in her historic legal battle for religious freedom.
So please don’t wait.
Make your tax-deductible gift of $20, $50, $100, or more today to defend freedom for Barronelle and for all people to peacefully live and work consistently with their faith.
Thank you for giving generously. |
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