LGBTQ+ couples continue to be discriminated against, with the most recent being a caterer in Washington that refused to cater a same-sex couple's wedding due to “religious beliefs.”
Love is a universal language, but unfortunately, not everyone speaks it fluently. A recent incident in Washington serves as a stark reminder that the journey to full acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community still faces roadblocks. A same-sex couple, in the throes of planning a joyous celebration, was refused catering services by JJ's To Go, a local restaurant, due to the owners’ religious beliefs.
What should have been a beautiful chapter in their love story turned into a moment of heartbreak—and activism. The couple's experience has since sparked nationwide conversations about where the line between religious freedom and discrimination should be drawn, shining a light on the work still needed to create a world where every couple’s love is celebrated, not sidelined.
What Happened?
The couple, filled with excitement as they planned their special event, approached a restaurant well-known in their community for its exceptional food and service. They were hoping to book catering for an intimate gathering of their closest friends and family—a celebration of their love and union.
Instead, they received a disheartening response: the restaurant’s owner refused to cater their event, citing their “traditional” views on marriage. The couple shared their story on social media, where it quickly gained traction, igniting both outrage and debate.
Many rallied behind the couple, decrying the restaurant’s actions as discriminatory. Others, however, defended the establishment, citing religious freedom as the foundation for their decision.
The Broader Context: Discrimination by Another Name
For couples planning LGBTQ+ weddings, navigating moments of discrimination—both subtle and overt—can often feel like an unfortunate rite of passage. While many states, including Washington, have laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in public accommodations, incidents like this reveal how fragile those protections can be.
Businesses open to the public have a legal and moral responsibility to serve everyone equally, regardless of personal or religious beliefs. Yet, loopholes and ambiguities in anti-discrimination laws sometimes leave LGBTQ+ individuals vulnerable to exclusion.
This situation also underscores the fact that LGBTQ+ discrimination isn’t always obvious or aggressive. Sometimes, it shows up as a polite decline wrapped in the language of “sincerely held beliefs.” Regardless of the packaging, the result is the same: a painful reminder that acceptance isn’t universal, even in places that promise inclusion.
A Social Media Flashpoint
The couple’s decision to share their story online brought this incident to national attention. Social media proved, once again, to be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it amplified their voices and rallied support from allies far and wide. On the other hand, it also invited trolls and hate messages directed at both the couple and the restaurant’s owners.
While the internet can magnify injustice and drive accountability, it can also foster toxic polarization. For LGBTQ+ couples, this digital spotlight can be empowering, but it often comes at a cost to their mental and emotional well-being.
The Emotional Toll
It’s easy to reduce stories like this to a headline or a talking point, but behind the controversy are real people—two individuals who wanted nothing more than to celebrate their love with their community.
For LGBTQ+ couples, these moments of rejection hit especially hard. They’re not just logistical hurdles; they’re personal attacks that echo the discrimination many have faced throughout their lives.
When you’re planning a wedding or event, you’re inviting businesses to be a part of one of the most meaningful days of your life. To be told that your love isn’t valid enough to serve feels like a deeply personal rejection.
Equality-Minded® Wedding Vendors & Venues in Washington
It has been Love Inc.'s mission since we launched over a decade ago to bring together equality-minded wedding vendors and venues into one place. Unlike mainstream publications that claim they're inclusive , we actually dig in and personally vouch for every single vendor and venue featured on our site, so that we can guarantee their equality-mindedness. We encourage you to browse our vendor guide, the Love List, as well as our real weddings and styled shoots to find inclusive vendors and venues in your area. And for our Washington couples who may be feeling particularly discouraged from this local story, here's a round-up of some amazing vendors and venues in around the Seattle area.
LGBTQ+ INCLUSIVE WASHINGTON WEDDING CATERERS
Bramble & Wood Events
Herban Feast Catering
Tuxedos & Tennis Shoes
LGBTQ+ INCLUSIVE WASHINGTON WEDDING PLANNERS
Pink Blossom Events
LCM Weddings & Events
Flowing White Events
Gian EventsHummingbird Event Co.
LGBTQ+ INCLUSIVE WASHINGTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Alexandra Knight Photography
Captured by Candace Photo
Laurel McConnell Photography
La Vie Photography
Angela & Evan Photography
Lionlady Photography
LGBTQ+ INCLUSIVE WASHINGTON WEDDING VENUES
Woodland Park Zoo
Fremont Foundry
Salish Lodge & Spa
DeLille Cellars
Hotel 1000
First & Bell
Farm 12
The Hall at Fauntleroy
Four Seasons Seattle
LGBTQ+ INCLUSIVE WASHINGTON WEDDING CAKE DESIGNERS
The Sweet Side
Lydia’s Cakes & Confections
Sweet Cakes Kirkland
South Fork Baking Co.
LGBTQ+ INCLUSIVE WASHINGTON WEDDING FLORAL DESIGNERS
Fena Flowers
Down to Earth Flowers
Bloom by Tara
Anthera Floral
Emerald City Flower
Westerwisp
Leigh Rice Designs
Moving Forward: A More Inclusive Future
Stories like this remind us that while progress has been made, there’s still work to be done. As we continue advocating for a more inclusive wedding industry, it’s essential to remember the core values that drive this fight: love, respect, and equality.
To all the couples out there planning their celebrations: your love is beautiful, powerful, and worthy of celebration. And for every vendor that says no, there are countless others who would be honored to be part of your journey.
Let’s build a world where love is always on the menu.
Cover photo by PNW Production
Related
