Swedish 'Christian' bakers found guilty of discrimination after refusing to bake wedding cake for same-sex couple

A 'Christian'-owned bakery in Stockholm has been found guilty of discrimination after refusing to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.

The ruling was handed down by Sweden’s Anti-Discrimination Ombudsman (DO), following a two-year investigation into the incident which occurred in 2023. The bakery, run by a 'Christian' couple, declined a request to create a wedding cake featuring two women, citing their religious beliefs. While the bakery stated that same-sex couples are welcome to purchase other products, it maintains a policy of not producing cakes specifically for same-sex weddings.

The complainant, who filed the case with the DO, argued that the refusal constituted discrimination based on sexual orientation. The Ombudsman acknowledged that the bakery’s stance was protected under the European Convention on Human Rights, particularly under provisions for artistic expression and religious freedom. However, the DO concluded that these rights are not absolute and can be limited when they infringe upon the rights of others.

“The right to practice one’s religion and freedom of expression is not unrestricted,” the DO stated. “When these rights result in exclusion or unequal treatment, they must be weighed against the principle of non-discrimination.”

The case echoes similar high-profile legal battles in the United States and Northern Ireland, including the Masterpiece Cakeshop case in Colorado and the Ashers Baking Company case in Belfast. Both involved Christian bakers who refused to produce cakes supporting same-sex marriage, leading to years of litigation and public discourse on the balance between religious liberty and LGBTQ+ rights.