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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rogue Valley doctor runs for governor on climate change platform ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... Rogue Valley doctor runs for governor on climate change platform ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... Oregon bakery in gay wedding cake case sends gifts to LGBTQ groups Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 20, 2015 at 6:15 PM Updated Aug 20, 2015 at 6:22 PM By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 20, 2015 at 6:15 PM Updated Aug 20, 2015 at 6:22 PM » Social News PORTLAND — The owners of a Portland-area bakery who were fined for denying service to a same-sex couple have sent cakes and copies of a Christian film to 10 LGBT groups on the West Coast. Melissa and Aaron Klein, of Sweet Cakes by Melissa, told The Oregonian they sent the custom-designed cakes and copies of the movie "Audacity" to the groups as "an expression of love." The packages also included $25 restaurant gift cards provided by Ray Comfort, a New Zealand evangelist and the film's executive producer. The theme of "Audacity" is that Christians who speak up about their belief that homosexuality is a choice aren't trying to spread hate or hurt someone, but are doing it to warn people and save them from God's wrath. The cakes, which have a red heart on top with 'We really do love you!' written across it in frosting, were sent to organizations in California and Nevada. One of the groups that received a cake Thursday, Equality California, said it considered the package a publicity stunt. The group was planning to invite gay-friendly faith leaders to share the cake, spokesman Jason Howe said. "I think the Kleins are continuing a false narrative that there's a conflict between LGBTQ and Christianity," Howe said. "There's a mainstream that thinks discriminating against people in places of business is wrong." Melissa Klein said the cakes were not meant as a publicity stunt. "Our purpose is to express our love for them as a Christian," Klein wrote in an email. "We don't hate them." She said the couple chose to include the movie "Audacity" because it "shows what being a Christian is about. My hope is that they will watch it and maybe just understand our heart." Klein said the bakers are planning to send more cakes to other lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations. In July, Oregon's Bureau of Labor and Industries ordered the Kleins to pay $135,000 in damages for emotional suffering caused when they refused two years ago to bake a wedding cake for Laurel and Rachel Bowman-Cryer. The bakers said their refusal was prompted by religious beliefs. They are appealing the state's order. The case has been cited in the national debate over religious freedom and discrimination against gays. The Kleins closed their Gresham store in 2013 and operate the business from home. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 20, 2015 at 6:15 PM Updated Aug 20, 2015 at 6:22 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501