Gresham needs to be shown in better light

Pink walls and displays of treats greet patrons at a Gresham bakery that sits just across the street from Gresham High School and no more than two blocks away from the heart of downtown.

Sweet Cakes, the bakery that has sparked large amounts of controversy across the U.S., let alone Oregon, has been in the middle of a “gay marriage” battle, so to speak.

On Jan. 17, a Portland lesbian couple attempted to order a cake with two women on top from the Sweet Cakes’ owner. After their request was denied by the owner, the couple claimed he had made disparaging remarks to them, part of the couple’s appeal to the state that they filed the next day.

The two sides have shown support or disdain for the situation, the two sides of course being those who are for the same-sex union and those who oppose it.

I have been a Gresham resident my entire life. I went to school near this bakery and I remember when it opened its doors a few years ago. And when I think about this incident happening in my town, I can’t help but be upset. I’m upset that this happened to the couple, and that there has been such a frenzy of negative publicity.

On Saturday, television news crews filled the parking lot and protesters occupied the corner of the sidewalk near the parking lot facing Division Street, holding signs and showing their distaste for the owners and those who continue to show support for the bakery. Ever since the news broke that the couple was turned away, the bakery has seen its business booming.

Now, I expect something like this to happen in a more conservative town, but not in a place like Gresham that is so close to Portland – the melting pot for various beliefs, religious and everything alternative.

Having this happen in my town makes me sad. I don’t agree with what the bakery did. I think the situation could have been handled better and I hope this event serves as an example for those in similar situations, that it is never okay to make one feel inferior about their sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs or anything in between.

I am upset by the situation, because I think it reflects negatively on this community. The last time Gresham held a prominent story in the news was Whitney Heichel’s very publicized murder in October. Now, I’m not saying these stories are not important – they are. But when I see my town on the news, I want, for once, to see it shining in a positive light. I want to show everyone that this is a good place in which to live, work and go to school. I don’t like that people think Gresham is turning into this horrible place of murderers and bigots.

My message to the bakery is to not let this fool them, although it is seeing a rise in sales, this might not last forever and who knows how many loyal customers it lost for letting its religious beliefs get in the way of a business transaction? There was a reason the couple chose this shop to make a cake for their special day, and now I hope the bakery regrets its decision to turn the couple away, and that although the owners may stick with their religious beliefs, this will forever leave a mark on their conscience.