GoFundMe Yanks Another Page After Gay Activists Complain

You are not signed in as a Premium user; we rely on Premium users to support our news reporting. Sign in or Sign up today!

RICHLAND, Wa., May 1, 2015 (ChurchMilitant.com) – GoFundMe has pulled down another page as a result of complaints lodged by gay activists. This time the target is Baronelle Stutzman, the owner of a flower shop in Washington penalized for refusing to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding.

Last week, the crowdfunding site yanked the donations page for Sweet Cakes by Melissa, an Oregon bakery fined $135,000 for refusing to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. GoFundMe claims the page violated the site's policy, which doesn't allow fundraising related to “formal charges of heinous crimes.”

Earlier this year, a Washington court found Baronelle Stutzman guilty of discrimination, and ordered her to pay a fine plus court costs, which were high enough to threaten bankruptcy and the loss of her home. When the opposing party offered to settle, Stutzman refused. Her response: “You are asking me to walk in the way of a well-known betrayer, one who sold something of infinite worth for 30 pieces of silver. That is something I will not do.”

Her page had raised $174,000 when it was quietly taken down earlier this week. GoFundMe has since expanded its list of forbidden activities, which now includes a ban on campaigns defending against “claims of discriminatory acts.”

Some note GoFundMe's expanded policy will make it harder for Christian businesses suffering heavy fines to obtain donations through the site.

Have a news tip? Submit news to our tip line.

We rely on you to support our news reporting. Please donate today.