Downtown Centralia eatery JJ's ToGo issued a statement on Sunday after facing sharp criticism online for refusing to cater the wedding of a same-sex couple. The decision by the restaurant sparked anger and frustration from many — along with messages of support from some — after Ali Duncan first wrote about the matter in a Facebook post on Saturday. The business issued a statement Sunday, attributing the decision to religious beliefs.
Protesters gathered at the business on Monday morning holding signs decrying the decision by JJ’s ToGo while diners who were supportive of the business ate inside. Duncan said the decision was "hurtful and shocking." She also said it was illegal.
“This afternoon my daughter Ryah Calkins and her fiancé Lillian Glover entered a restaurant in Centralia, Washington known as JJ’s TO GO,” Duncan wrote. “It was an exciting event for them as they were meeting with the owner to pay with cash, in full, for the catering of their wedding in January. As they were approached by the owner, she looked at them both and upon noticing they were both female, she proceeded to tell them she was refusing service for the catering services they had previously agreed upon.
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because Lili and Ryah are same sex partners. Other than the fact that this was completely hurtful and shocking to the girls, it is also ILLEGAL IN WASHINGTON STATE.” While the couple now lives in the Seattle area, both women grew up in Lewis County, with Glover graduating from Adna H.