The Oregon bakers who shuttered their business after their decision to turn away two lesbian brides-to-be created a national controversy are speaking out.
Sweet Cakes by Melissa co-owners Aaron and Melissa Klein told the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights advocates used "militant, mafia-style tactics" to shut down the business.
"I didn't want to be a be a part of her marriage -- which I think is wrong," Aaron told the news channel of his decision to turn away the lesbian couple earlier this year. Meanwhile, wife Melissa echoed those sentiments: "I am who I am ... I choose to serve God."
Though Sweet Cakes by Melissa reportedly saw an uptick in business after news of the controversy broke in January, the Kleins now tell CBN that the wedding cake division of their bakery suffered a major loss.
The shop's closing came on the heels of news that the lesbian couple that Klein rejected had filed a complaint with the state, alleging that Sweet Cakes by Melissa discriminated against them based on their sexual orientation, according to Oregon Live.
In response to the complaint, Melissa Klein argued that turning away the couple was "definitely not discrimination at all."
"We don't have anything against lesbians or homosexuals," she said in August. "It has to do with our morals and beliefs. It's so frustrating because we went through all of this in January, when it all came out."
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