Patrick Stewart explains ‘gay cake’ bakery comments
By Ryan Love
Patrick Stewart has further explained his recent comments in which he admitted to backing the Belfast bakery which was fined last month after refusing to make a cake for a gay man with an equal marriage slogan on it.
Speaking on Newsnight, the actor described the case as a “deliciously difficult subject”, but confirmed that he supported “their rights to say no”.
In a Facebook message, Stewart reiterated his stance, but refuted suggestions that his opinion meant that he is “anti-equality”.
Read his full post below:
“As part of my advocacy for Amnesty International, I gave an interview on a number of subjects related to human rights, civil rights and freedom of speech. During the interview, I was asked about the Irish bakers who refused to put a message on a cake which supported marriage equality, because of their beliefs. In my view, this particular matter was not about discrimination, but rather personal freedoms and what constitutes them, including the freedom to object. Both equality and freedom of speech are fundamental rights— and this case underscores how we need to ensure one isn’t compromised in the pursuit of the other. I know many disagree with my sentiments, including the courts. I respect and understand their position, especially in this important climate where the tides of prejudices and inequality are (thankfully) turning. What I cannot respect is that some have conflated my position on this single matter to assume I’m anti-equality or that I share the personal beliefs of the bakers. Nothing, absolutely nothing, could be further from the truth. I have long championed the rights of the LGBT community, because equality should not only be, as the people of Ireland powerfully showed the world, universally embraced, but treasured.
Ashers Baking Company has confirmed that it will appeal last month’s ruling, saying: “We continue to insist that we have done nothing wrong as we have discriminated against no individual, but rather acted according to what the Bible teaches regarding marriage.”
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