Oregon baker Aaron Klein, pictured, is under investigation after he refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple




News stories

Utah man fasting to stop same sex marriages

 

A Utah man is vowingto go without any food until the state stops allowing same sex marriages. He claims if Utah wants to protect traditional marriage, it has an option it’s not using, and he's fasting until it does it.

When same sex marriage became legal in Utah, people immediately reacted. Couples stormed county clerk buildings. State attorneys tried to stop it, and Trestin Meacham started fasting.

"I'm very disappointed," said Trestin Meacham, fasting to stop Utah same sex marriages.

 

  Trestin Meacham, 35, started a hunger strike nearly two weeks ago to protest a federal court ruling allowing gays and lesbians to get married in Utah   Meacham with his fiancee  

 

More than 900 same-sex couples have tied the knot

 

For the past 12 days Meacham hasn't eaten anything. He's surviving solely on water and an occasional vitamin.

"You can start a blog and you can complain on social networks until you're blue in the face and nothing will happen but actions speak louder than words and I'm taking action," said Meacham.

Meacham tells Reporter Brian Carlson he's fasting to convince Utah to exercise the option of “ nullification. ” According to his interpretation of states’ rights, Utah can nullify the recent federal court ruling by simply choosing not to follow it.

"Jefferson made clear that the courts are not the supreme arbitrators of what is and what is not constitutional. The states also have power," said Meacham.

But that's not the interpretation of attorney Greg Skordas.

Skordas said nullification doesn't work with Utah’s case. When the federal government grants someone a constitutional right, states must recognize it.

"When individual personal liberties are at stake the state can't infringe on that, even if it's the will of the people," said Skordas.

But that opinion is not deterring Meacham. So far he's lost 25 pounds.

"I had to punch a hole in my belt to make it fit,” said Meacham.

 

Meacham has punched a hole in his belt to keep his pants from falling down because of all the weight he's lost.

 

He vows to keep going and hopes the state will take action.

 

 

Reader submissions

 

1) Cute fiancee for such a stupid man...

 

2) Just because you don't agree with it, that's no reason to deny other human beings basic civil rights.

 

3) Nothing better to do than worry about other peoples’ private lives? Go ahead, starve!

 

4) OK, don't eat. The world will be free of one more prejudiced, idiot... Bye!

 

5) Too bad he's not one of the 35% obese Americans, he would last a lot longer.

 

6) There are probably more single guys in Utah waiting for his fiancee to be on the market again than could care less about whether or not he starves himself to death.

 

7) Oh well - it's his Constitutional right to say and do what he wants, and everyone else's Constitutional right to ignore him and his hateful heart, and support everyone's else's human right to fall in love with whoever they want to.

 

8) You're in the papers now, your objection is noted. Now go have a burger and mind your own business.

9) Good riddance.

10) We’ll save you some wedding cake!

 


Vocabulary

 

to fast – поститься; голодать

to vow – клясться (в чем-либо); торжественно обещать

 

to go without s/th –

It is possible to go without food for a few days.

I'd rather go without food than work for him.

 

till (until) you're blue in the face

You can tell them till you're blue in the face, but they'll still do what they want.

You can tell her to tidy her room until you are blue in the face, but she won't do it.

You can shout till you’re blue in the face, but I’m not letting you go!

You can argue yourself blue in the face but it isn't going to change my opinion.

actions speak louder than words

You keep saying that you'll do your fair share of the housework. Remember that actions speak louder than words.

Of course the government have made all sorts of promises but as we all know, actions speak louder than words.

 

nullification – признание недействительным

 

to be at stake

They have to win the contract - thousands of jobs are at stake.

National pride is at stake in next week's game against England.

Thousands of lives will be at stake if emergency aid does not arrive in the city soon.

 

to infringe (on) – посягать, нарушать

Some students argued that the rule infringed on their right to free speech.

 

to be on the market = to be available

 

good riddance

Peter and his nasty dog have finally moved out. Good riddance!

She was awful. Good riddance to her, I say!

"Good riddance to you, madam," thought I.

She slammed the door behind me and said, "Good riddance to bad rubbish!"

 

 


Gay couple turned away from Berkshire B&B because of owner's Christian beliefs

 

The refusal by the owner of a bed and breakfast in Berkshire to offer accommodation to a gay couple is being investigated by police.

John Morgan and Michael Black made a complaint of unlawful discrimination after the Christian owner of the guest house in Cookham, Susanne Wilkinson, would not honour their booking because of her religious beliefs. She said it was 'against her convictions' to let them share a bed.

 

Gay couple Michael Black, left, and John Morgan claim they were discriminated against by a B&B owner

 

It is illegal under the Equality Act 2006 to discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation and they have been interviewed after reporting the case to police.

The couple had pre-booked a double room at the £75-a-night guest house on Friday and upon arrival were met outside by Mrs Wilkinson.

She later admitted she had turned the couple away because it was her policy not to let same sex couples share a room.

Mr Black and Mr Morgan, from Brampton, Cambridgeshire, say they were treated like lepers.

Mr Black said: 'When we got out of the car she was immediately distant and unfriendly and then she said, "It's a double room", and we said "yes".

'She said, "It's a large double bed in a double room" and we said, "yes", and then she said it was against her convictions to let us stay.

'We said it was illegal to discriminate against people who stay in hotels because that's all we knew at the time and she said it was her private home and it was against her convictions.

'She said she was sorry and she was polite in a cold way and she was not abusive, so we asked our money back and she gave it to us.'

He added: 'We were very shocked, and of course angry, that it happened. Neither of us has ever experienced homophobia before and I have been out since 1974. We felt we were treated like lepers and not fit to be under the same roof as her.'

Mr Black said that Mrs Wilkinson has said the men should have warned her, but Mr Black said: 'It would be like saying to someone who runs a guest house, "I'm black or Muslim or blue-eyed" just in case they have a problem with it.

'There is no reason why we had to make it clear we were two men in this day and age. We have stayed in plenty of guest houses in Britain and abroad and have never had a problem.'

Mrs Wilkinson said: 'I don't see why I should change my mind and my beliefs I've held for years just because the government should force it on me. I am not a hotel, I am a guest house and this is a private house.'

A spokeswoman for Thames Valley Police said: 'We are aware of the incident and were contacted yesterday. The call has been logged as a homophobic incident.'

 

 


Vocabulary

 

to turn away –

Thousands of applicants are turned away each year.

 

to honour booking – выполнить предварительный заказ

leper – прокажённый

 

distant –

After the quarrel Sue remained cold and distant.

to be on distant terms — быть в строго официальных отношениях

 

abusive –

abusive letter — ругательное письмо

 

out – прил. нетрадиционный; не скрывающий своей гомосексуальности

I came out yesterday to my family.

 

in this day and age - в наше с вами время; в наши дни

 

to log (a phone call) - заносить в журнал (log), регистрировать


'They are abomination unto the Lord': Baker who refused to make wedding cake for lesbian couple faces state investigation

 

An Oregon baker has refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple, allegedly calling them 'abominations unto the Lord. '

Aaron Klein, owner of Sweet Cakes in Gresham, is the subject of a state investigation after one of the brides- to-befiled a complaint.

The woman, who said she'd been served by the owner before, claims Klein refused to take an order from her partner when he learned the cake was for a gay marriage.

 

Oregon baker Aaron Klein, pictured, is under investigation after he refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple

 

Oregon Attorney General's civil enforcement office is now looking into the case to determine whether the baker broke the law by discriminating against the couple.

The Oregon Equality Act 2007 outlaws discrimination by an individual or a business against people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Klein denied calling the women 'abominations' but admitted to rejecting their custom.

 

One of the brides-to-be said she'd been served at Sweet Cakes, pictured, before but Klein refused to serve her partner when he learned the cake was for a gay marriage

 

'I apologized for wasting their time and said we don't do same-sex marriages,' he told KATU.

'I honestly did not mean to hurt anybody, didn't mean to make anybody upset, it's just something I believe in very strongly.'

He told the news station his religious beliefs were more important than making money and the state law.

'If I have to be penalized for my beliefs, then I guess, well, that'll be what it is,' he said, adding that, in his view, his constitutional rights should override Oregon law.

'My First Amendment rights allow me to practice my religion as I see it,' Klein said.

The case will likely fall to a judge to decide. The women said they didn't want to talk about the complaint until they received further legal advice.


Reader submissions

 

1) It's his choice - you can't change everybody's mind about same-sex marriages, some are raised believing what is right and what isn't and trying to get him punished for standing up for his beliefs is ridiculous. I know it's the 21st century but it's his business!! Good for him for standing his ground.

 

2) Just because it's his business does not give him carte blanche to make up the rules. He is bound by legislation that states a business is not allowed to discriminate based on gender, race, age or sexuality. Maybe he should have thought of that before offering a public service?

 

3) I support his decision 100%. It’s his right to serve who he likes!

 

4) Proof that freedom of conscience is dead in America.

 

5) This is ridiculous! The man should have a right to cater to whom he wants to without fear of government intervention. Freedom of religion isn't just on Sundays, it's a part of our lives.

 

6) You know what, this is the United States. If this guy doesn't want to make wedding cakes for same-sex couples, that is his right. It is also the right of the people to not use his bakery.


Vocabulary

allegedly –

Allegedly, she stole the money.

abomination unto the Lord – библ. «мерзость перед Господом»

 

(brides)-to-be –

his bride-to-be [=his future bride]

the father-to-be

 

to file a complaint – подать жалобу

 

Attorney General's civil enforcement office – отдел по гражданским делам при главном прокуроре штата

 

to look into – расследовать; разобраться с

Is there a problem? I could look into it.

Investigators are looking into the cause of the accident.

 

custom – зд. заказ

to override (a law) – юр. преодолеть, быть сильнее

 

to fall to (a judge) –

It fell to me to give her the bad news.

 

to stand up for (his beliefs) –

He stood up for his friend.

You have to stand up for yourself.

They were standing up for their rights.

 

to stand one’s ground –

The president has continued to stand his ground despite criticism.

 

to bind (bound, bound) -

He is bound by legislation.

 

to cater (to) –

The restaurant caters for parties/banquets/receptions.


Catholic school vice principal 'fired for marrying his male partner'

 

A former Catholic school vice principal says he was fired from the job for marrying his male partner.

Mark Zmuda said in a YouTube video that officials at Eastside Catholic School in Seattle, Washington said he was being terminated because of his recent marriage.

Mr Zmuda also says the head of the school even suggested that he could get a divorce and keep his job. Zmuda says he rejected the idea of getting a divorce from husband Dana Jergens.

Many students at Eastside Catholic have rallied in support of Zmuda and protested his departure.

One student, Catrina Chritenden conducted an interview with Mr Zmuda and his husband Mr Jergens which was posted to YouTube on January 4.

 



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