Kentucky Company Doing Sensitivity Training After Ruling For Not Printing Gay Pride T-Shirts

The refusal to make gay pride parade T-shirts resulted in the Hands on Originals T-shirt company in Kentucky being ordered to undergo diversity training. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, the Christian business was found guilty of discrimination for refusing to print the gay rights T-shirts.

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission feels the Kentucky T-shirt company discriminated against the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization of Lexington by refusing to print shirts for the gay pride parade. The gay rights group filed a complaint against Hands on Originals on the basis of sexual orientation discrimination two years ago.

Hands on Originals owner Blaine Adamson stated that being forced to print gay pride T-shirts violates his religious beliefs. The Alliance Defending Freedom defended Adamson and the Kentucky T-shirt company since the complaint was filed in March 2012. Jim Campbell, senior counsel for the conservative legal firm, told The Blaze that the human rights commission’s ruling is not “definitively clear.” The company’s website described the business as providing, “High quality customized Christian apparel since 1986.” The company employees approximately 30 workers.

An excerpt from the sexual orientation discrimination ruling reads, “The Respondent’s refusal to provide goods and services of public accommodation to the Charging Party constitutes unlawful discrimination against the members of the [Gay and Lesbian Services Organization of Lexington] on the basis of sexual orientation and sexual identity in violation of Local Ordinance 201-99.”

Campbell maintains that the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission often has “scattered, unclear rules.” The Alliance Defending Freedom attorney added that the ruling will not be official until it is either modified or adopted by the full commission. “Once we do get a final decision from the commission we would have the opportunity to appeal. We are very likely to appeal,” Campbell added.

The current gay pride parade T-shirts ruling says, according to Campbell, “First is don’t discriminate against individuals because of gender identity or sexuality. If someone else from Gay and Lesbian Services Organization of Lexington comes to you for the pride festival, you print again in the future if asked.”

A second mandate issued by the commission review board reportedly states that Hands on Originals employees would have to participate in diversity training for the next 12 months. The Kentucky T-shirt company has reportedly hired and sold items to gay individuals, but draws the line at printing slogans which Adamson feels conflicts with the religious basis of the company. Campbell said Blaine Adamson has denied about 13 various print orders since the gay rights violation claims occurred. One of the denials involved a Christians organization with a “blood design” that the owner felt was too racy.

What do you think about the gay pride T-shirts and the stance Hands on Originals has taken on the matter?

[Images via: The Blaze and Yulia Reznikov/Shutterstock.com]