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Washington court rules against florist in gay wedding case - Albuquerque Journal

U.S. Supreme Court, according to Lambda Legal. In 2014, the court declined to hear an appeal of a case out of New Mexico that went against a photographer who denied a same-sex couple service.Gov. Jay Inslee lauded Thursday’s ruling, saying it was “in favor of equality for all Washingtonians.”“By ruling that intolerance based on sexual orientation is unlawful, the Court affirmed that Washington state will remain a place where no one can be discriminated against because of who they love,” Inslee said in a written statement.Stutzman had previously sold the couple flowers and knew they were gay. However, Stutzman told them that she couldn’t provide flowers for their wedding because same-sex marriage was incompatible with her Christian beliefs.Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson and the couple sued her, saying she broke state anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws, and the lower court agreed. The state’s nine high court justices upheld that verdict.The court rejected several arguments put forth by Stutzman, including the assertion that since other florists were willing to serve the couple, no harm occurred.“As every other court to address the question has concluded, public accommodations laws do not simply guarantee access to goods or services. Instead, they serve a broader societal purpose: eradicating barriers to the equal treatment of all citizens in the commercial marketplace,” the court wrote. “Were we to carve out a patchwork of exceptions for ostensibly justified discrimination, that purpose would be fatally undermined.”The case thrust the great-grandmother into the national spotlight and she testified before state lawmakers in Indiana and Kansas.Michael Scott, a Seattle attorney who worked with the American Civil Liberties Union to represent Robert Ingersoll and Curt Freed — the couple denied the flowers — had previously told justices he didn’t believe Stutzman’s floral creations constituted speech. By providing flowers for a same-sex marriage, he argued, “she’s not endorsing same-sex marriage. She’s selling what she sells.”Ferguson had said the state’s argument rested on longstanding principle, and uprooting it would weaken antidiscrimination law.After the arguments in the Supreme Court case last November, at a packed theater at Bellevue College, a large crowd of Stutzman’s supporters greeted her outside, chanting her name and waving signs that said “Justice For Barronelle.”In a February 2015 ruling, Benton County Superior Court Judge Alexander Ekstrom found that Stutzman’s refusal to provide flowers because of sexual orientation violated Washington’s anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws. The following month, Ekstrom ordered Stutzman to pay a $1,000 penalty to the state and $1 in co... https://www.abqjournal.com/951260/washington-court-rules-against-florist-in-gay-wedding-case.html

El Paso, New Mexico florists create tribute to Walmart mass shooting victims - El Paso Times

Maria Cortes Gonzalez  El Paso TimesA group of florists from El Paso, Las Cruces and other parts of New Mexico are creating a tribute to the 23 victims of the El Paso mass shooting using moss and dried flowers.The goal is to use 23 silhouettes to create a colorful, emotional and uplifting visual at this weekend's opening of the El Paso County Community Healing Garden through the beauty of sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias, roses, and larkspur.The moss represents the healing garden that is being created, and the flowers in all colors represent life, people and unity.Young victims such as 15-year-old Javier Amir Rodriguez, formerly of Horizon City, will have a silhouette covered completely in flowers as their lives were cut short and didn't get to bloom, the florists said. The teen was about to start high school in El Paso.Each of the silhouettes will be holding a star in one hand, representative of the Star on the Mountain in El Paso.The silhouettes will be displayed along the roads inside Ascarate Park lined with luminarias, from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2... https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2020/07/31/el-paso-new-mexico-florists-create-floral-tribute-shooting-victims/5555190002/

Jay Myers, florist with ‘charisma,’ dies at 55 - Albuquerque Journal

Myers helped contribute to the community outside of his store, Ausbun said, giving financial contributions to the Rio Rancho High School Rams and to young women aspiring to run for the Miss New Mexico pageant.Myers also contributed time playing music in three churches around the city, Ausbun said, even though he wasn’t in their congregations.“He was just one of the kindest people you’ve ever met,” she said. “He had this charisma and this light that was infectious to everybody. He loved delivering flowers and that he made the world a better place, one flower delivery at a time.” ... https://www.abqjournal.com/838745/jay-myers-florist-with-charisma-dies-at-55.html

Signature Sweets & Flowers is your place to go for holiday flowers - NMLiving

Signature Sweets & Flowers has you covered. The owner of Signature Sweets & Flowers discussed the wide selection they have to offer. Signature Sweets & Flowers is a local Albuquerque, New Mexico florist delivering courteous, professional service and the highest quality floral and gift items around. Their experienced designers can create floral arrangements that will complement any occasion and meet your budget and style expectations as well. They also offer daily delivery service to all local funeral homes and hospitals.Choose from their nice selection of Green Plants, Blooming Plants, Dish Gardens, Fruit & Gourmet Baskets, Gift Baskets, Baby Gifts, Candy, Greeting Cards, Home Décor, Scented Candles, Silk Flowers, Stuffed Animals, and more. They offer non-contact, safe delivery too. Call them at (505) 833-5400 or visit their website. Related ... https://nmliving.com/2020/11/17/signature-sweets-flowers-is-your-place-to-go-for-holiday-flowers/