RICHLAND, Wash. (KONP staff) – The Tri-City Herald reports a Richland florist mired in an 8-year legal battle that reached the U.S. Supreme Court will retire after settling with the same-sex couple whose wedding was at the center of the lawsuit.
Barronelle Stutzman announced the settlement today, saying she has paid $5,000 to Robert Ingersoll. She also wished Ingersoll, who had been her customer for nearly 10 years before refusing to do his wedding, “the very best.”
The Washington Supreme Court in 2019 issued a unanimous opinion saying Stutzman broke state laws when she cited religious freedom in turning down her customer’s request to design arrangements for his wedding.
Today’s agreement allows Stutzman to “preserve her conscience” by not forcing her to act against her religious beliefs as a Southern Baptist.
Stutzman, a great-grandmother, says she will retire “so her beloved employees can run her business.”