Reader: Don't want criticism? Don't refuse to make a gay wedding cake

Last week Dave Mullins and Charlie Craig stopped by Lakewood's Masterpiece Cakeshop to order a cake for their wedding reception -- what they hoped would be a rainbow-layered masterpiece decked out in teal and red frosting (their ceremony colors). Although they'll be reciting their vows in Provincetown, Massachusetts, the couple...

By Patricia Calhoun

July 24, 2012

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Last week Dave Mullins and Charlie Craig stopped by Lakewood's Masterpiece Cakeshop to order a cake for their wedding reception -- what they hoped would be a rainbow-layered masterpiece decked out in teal and red frosting (their ceremony colors). Although they'll be reciting their vows in Provincetown, Massachusetts, the couple plans to celebrate with a reception for friends and family in Denver.

But they say that after bakery owner Jack Phillips listened to their request, he refused it: Masterpiece doesn't create cakes for gay weddings.

The report on that denial sparked an outpouring of comments, including this one from smallbusinessowner:

Isn't this "letting the market work"? It seems if a business makes a poor business decision to not include a potentially significant market that folks shouldn't be surprised when they get lambasted by upset once-potential customers. I know as a consumer I regularly let my friends know when I think a business fails to meet my needs. Masterpiece Cakeshop is simply experiencing the beauty of the free market.

And the free market is speaking freely about Masterpiece Bakery. Post your thoughts below, or join the conversation already under way here.

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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