Earlier this year, the Oregon bakery Sweet Cakes by Melissa informed a same-sex couple it would not sell them a wedding cake because “marriage is a religious institution ordained by God.” The couple filed a complaint with the Oregon Department of Justice, which continues to investigate the shop’s violation of state nondiscrimination laws. It appears that the bakery has now closed its public storefront to become “an in-home bakery” according a message posted on its now-defunct Facebook page and a note left on the store window:
This fight is not over. We will continue to stand strong. Your Religious Freedom is becoming not Free anymore. This is ridiculous that we can not practice our faith. The LORD is good and we will continue to serve Him with all our heart. ♥
It’s unclear if the store’s change has anything to do with its violation of the law. Its website is still operational for sales, so it’s arguably still a public business. Oregon’s nondiscrimination law only applies to public businesses, so the change may very well be an admission of guilt — Sweet Cakes intends to continue discriminating against same-sex couples, but will attempt to operate privately to do so legally.
Nevertheless, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries will continue to investigate the shop for discriminating based on sexual orientation.