A self-identified gay baker named Jesse Bartholomew has released a viral video where he scolds others within the LGBT community for forcing Christian bakers to make same-sex wedding cakes.
In a video rant posted July 9 on Facebook that has received over 200,000 views, Bartholomew expressed disgust at those within the LGBT community for "bullying" Christian bakers to make a cake for same-sex weddings. He questioned the logic behind forcing someone "who doesn't agree with them" to bake a cake.
"I cannot tell you how disgusted I am with my fellow gay and lesbian community, that they would stoop so low to force someone to bake a cake for them who simply doesn't agree with them," Bartholomew said. "They don't have to bake a cake for you."
The baker highlighted that in his opinion, marriage is a personal affair. He looked at the costs of planning such life events, noting that his cakes "can cost thousands" in the open market.
"Personally, that wedding cake should be so personal to you and your wedding-just as the ring, just as the invitations, just as to everything in planning a wedding," Bartholomew said. "Why would you want to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a wedding cake and pay that money to someone who doesn't want to bake the cake for you? Are you stupid?"
Bartholomew added that cakes in such ceremonies represented a "personal piece of your wedding." He elaborated on the time and effort behind making a wedding cake.
"Your guests eat that, your cake is involved in your photos, that cake is taken in your mouth and you eat it in your stomach," Bartholomew said. "That baker has to spend hours perfecting that cake for you, for your wedding day. And if that cake isn't perfect, then it ruins your wedding."
The baker then attacked the premise behind why the LGBT community wanted to force Christian-owned bakeries to make them a cake for same-sex weddings.
"So, you're going to say that you want to force someone who doesn't want to bake a cake for you, and that cake should be perfect for your wedding. There [are] no other bakers out there?" Bartholomew said.
Bartholomew ended his video by slamming those within the LGBT community who want to force Christians to participate in same-sex events against their beliefs as a form of "bullying."
"It's plain and simple: You are bullying someone," Bartholomew concluded. "You are forcing someone. You are being a Nazi."
He added that "there are hundreds of other gay and lesbians that would gladly have your business."
"Shame on you," Bartholomew said.
According to Heather Clark of Christian News Network, Bartholomew has been accused of being a "homophobic right winger." He made an Internet meme to counter the allegations.
"I'm a gay baker. I am disappointed that liberals and the LGBT community would stoop so low to bully a Christian baker because he or she simply refused to bake a same-sex wedding cake," the meme said. "Freedom goes both ways. There are plenty of bakeries and bakers to choose from."
According to Michael Schaus of BizPac Review, Bartholomew posted his video just days after the Christian owners of an Oregon bakery were forced to pay $135,000 in damages to a lesbian couple after refusing to bake them a cake for their same-sex wedding.
According to Clark, Bartholomew hoped that his message will be shared "since another bakery has been forced to shut down and face lawsuit."
