‘We’ll Possibly Lose Everything’: Florist in Court Battle Over Gay Wedding Speaks Out

Barronelle Stutzman, the Washington state florist who refused to provide floral arrangement services for a gay couple’s wedding, says she stands to lose everything she owns during her lengthy court battle.

“The attorney fees will be over $1 million for the ACLU and it will take everything we own, everything we’ve saved for, our retirement, our home, and our business,” Stutzman tells The Daily Signal. “They are also suing us personally and corporately, so we’ll possibly lose everything we own.”

Stutzman, the owner of Arlene’s Flowers, has become a hero among conservative Christians for her stand on traditional marriage and religious liberty.

Her ordeal began a few years ago. After multiple lawsuits from discrimination to consumer protection, the verdict at this point, according to the Benton County Superior Court judge, is that Stutzman violated the state’s anti-discrimination law.

The case is now being appealed in federal court. Stutzman says that even though she may lose everything from a financial perspective, she has a larger outlook.

“It’s not about the money. It’s about the freedom and our stand for Christ. Christ died for us, and yet I’m not willing to give up anything to stand for him. It seems a little sad.”