The Dispute about a Wedding Cake – Homosexuality v. Freedom of Expression and Religion in a Pluralistic Society

Thomas Giegerich

doi:10.5771/1435-439X-2018-3-291

Contents
- Chapter Expand | CollapseAuthorsPage
- 289–290 Titelei/Inhaltsverzeichnis 289–290
- 291–304 The Dispute about a Wedding Cake – Homosexuality v. Freedom of Expression and Religion in a Pluralistic Society Thomas Giegerich Thomas Giegerich 291–304
- 305–328 Managing Choice: a close look at the differentiation of delegated and implementing acts Eljalill Tauschinsky Eljalill Tauschinsky 305–328
- 329–350 European Integration from a Single to a Digital Single Market Darko Samardžić, Tobias Fischer Darko Samardžić, Tobias Fischer 329–350
- 351–378 The prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation in the case-law of the ECtHR and the CJEU Renato Memoli Renato Memoli 351–378
- 379–404 Energiebeziehungen zwischen Norwegen und der EU im Licht des EWR- Abkommens Louise Pettersen Louise Pettersen 379–404
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ZEuS Zeitschrift für Europarechtliche Studien , page 291 - 304

The Dispute about a Wedding Cake – Homosexuality v. Freedom of Expression and Religion in a Pluralistic Society

Autoren

Thomas Giegerich

DOI
- doi.org/10.5771/1435-439X-2018-3-291
- ISSN: 1435-439X
- ISSN online: 2942-3589
Abstract

Because of their diversity, modern pluralistic societies are conflict-prone. This is demonstrated using the example of a dispute about a wedding cake for a homosexual couple which a commercial baker refused to produce because of religious objections to homosexual marriage. In this case, the fundamental rights of the baker - his freedoms of expression, profession and religion - come into conflict with the claim of the couple not to be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. The state is called upon to solve such conflicts between claims to freedom and equality by establishing a synthesis of the opposing rights in the sense of a gentle reconciliation bringing each of them to bear as much as possible. This is explained in detail with regard to the legal situations in the U.S.A. and the U.K., where the Supreme Courts recently handed down pertinent decisions, as well as in Germany. The European Convention on Human Rights is also taken into account. Demands for exemptions from laws protecting minorities that are made on the basis of religious or philosophical convictions pose a particular challenge to a state founded on the rule of law because it must ensure that the equal dignity and rights of all humans remain inviolable.
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