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Arkansas florist says he supports controversial "religious freedom" bill, even though he serves gay customers

Brent Blomquist has plenty of gay customers at his flower shop in Mountain Home, Arkansas. But he still supports the state's religious protection bill, which critics call anti-gay.
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Brent Blomquist runs a flower shop with his wife, Nancy, in Mountain Home, Arkansas. (Photo: Kevin Piepr)
As It Happens6:12Arkansas florist says he supports controverial "religious freedom" bill, even though he serves gay customers

Brent Blomquist believes in Jesus. The Arkansas flower shop owner does not believe in gay marriage. But he does believe in treating everyone with respect. That's why he is happy to serve his gay and lesbian customers. And why he still thinks the proposed "religious freedom" law in his state is necessary.

This morning, Arkansas governor Asa Hutchison asked state legislators to recall the bill, which is waiting on his desk for approval. He's facing a fierce backlash over the proposed law from activists and business leaders who say it's anti-gay.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson answers reporters' questions at the state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., Wednesday, April 1, 2015. Hutchinson called for changes to the state's religious objection measure facing a backlash from businesses and gay rights groups, saying it wasn't intended to sanction discrimination based on sexual orientation. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston) (The Associated Press)

Blomquist doesn't see it that way.

"It protects both sides," Blomquist tells As It Happens host Carol Off. "It protects the business owners, such as ourselves, but it also protects the other sides, the gay and lesbian community, from suits of retaliation."

He says he deals with gay customers every day and has a great relationship with all his customers.

"But, within that, there are limits," Blomquist says. "We would have to draw a line as far as actually going and participating in the celebration."

He says that, on occasion, clients will ask him and his wife to go to the wedding venue to help out with the ceremony. But they would refuse for a gay couple.

"I don't condone what they are doing, but I don't condemn either," Blomquist says.

Activists on the steps of the Arkansas state Capitol thanking Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson for calling for changes to a religious objection measure in Little Rock, Ark., Wednesday, April 1, 2015. The measure faced a backlash from businesses and gay rights groups. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston) (The Associated Press)

He says he feels the law is needed because of what happened to a florist in Colorado after she refused to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding. Even though she offered to refer them to another flower shop, the couple sued.

"She ended up losing her home and the business and everything else," he says.

He argues that the law would also protect gay and lesbian business owners accused of discrimination.

Blomquist says he believes it's wrong for a business owner to turn away any customer. Still, he says, in a litigious atmosphere, protections are needed.

He hopes that the governor will modify the bill to make sure that there is no confusion about treating people fairly. Blomquist says that if, when the law is finalized, it allows a gay person to be refused service, he will oppose it.

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