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The case concerning the florist, Arlene’s Flowers v. Washington, No. 19-333, started in 2013, when Barronelle Stutzman turned down a request from a longtime customer, Robert Ingersoll, to provide flowers for his wedding to another man, Curt Freed. Ms. Stutzman said her religious principles did not allow her to do so.
She said she should not have to participate in same-sex weddings, which had been recognized in Washington the previous year.
“Since 2012, same-sex couples all over the state have been free to act on their beliefs about marriage,” Ms. Stutzman wrote, “but because I follow the Bible’s teaching that marriage is the union of one man and one woman, I am no longer free to act on my beliefs.”
The couple and the state both sued, and they won in the state courts.
Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch wanted to take the case.
Washington State Attorney General
