A Court Ruling in Favor of An Uncompromising Christian Business Owner

Back in 2012, a Lexington, Kentucky T-shirt shop called Hands On Originals was approached by the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization about printing shirts for a local gay pride parade.  The T-shirt company politely declined and even sought out quotes and gave the group referrals to other T-shirt printers, along with comparable prices.  Shop owner, Blaine Adamson, was targeted by the city’s Human Rights Commission after turning down a job to print the rainbow T-shirts.  At the time, the Commission’s Executive Director, Raymond Sexton, infamously said it’s time for Christians in the marketplace “to leave their religion at home.”  Adamson was promptly sued by the group under Lexington’s anti-discriminatory laws and forced to comply with a lengthy investigation.

However, just recently the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled that Adamson, owner of Hands On Originals, has the freedom to decline orders that force him to promote messages contrary to his faith.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement:

“We are pleased to learn today that the Kentucky Court of Appeals has an understanding that the freedom of the press also includes T-shirt presses.  This is a case in which it is difficult to overstate the enormous implications for both free speech and religious freedom. The court was presented with this question: Does government have the power to force citizens to engage in speech they disagree with.  The answer is a clear ‘no.’

“This ruling affirms our nation’s long history of protecting Americans from being compelled by the government to advocate a message to which one objects.  We applaud our friends at Alliance Defending Freedom for prevailing over the notion that surrendering First Amendment rights is just the ‘price of doing business.’

“We hope to hear soon that the U.S. Supreme Court will accept the Masterpiece Cakeshop case and ensure that the owner, Jack Phillips, will be free to follow his religious beliefs without fear of punishment by the government,” concluded Perkins.  [For an understanding of the Masterpiece Cakeshop case read my blog postings of December 23, 2013 – “Going to Jail for Not ‘Frosting the Cake” and June 13, 2014 – “‘Big Brother’s’ Brainwashing of America …” and November 4, 2015 – “Christian Baker Takes Case to Colorado High Court.”]

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel