Lexington Business Appeals Discrimination Charge

A Lexington business is fighting back after a ruling that it discriminated against a gay and lesbian group.

Hands On Originals declined to print a t-shirt for the Gay and Lesbian Service Organization on religious grounds. The Lexington Human Rights Commission ruled that was discrimination. Now, Hands On Originals is appealing.

Court documents said Hands On Originals lost "large customers" after it refused to print shirts for Lexington’s Pride Fest in 2012.

The Human Rights Commission first ruled against the business in November of 2012. This past October, a hearing examiner backed that ruling and agreed with the commission’s decision to require Hands On Originals to participate in diversity training.

Hands On Originals’ appeal said the commission overstepped its authority and violated the business’s freedom of expression and free exercise of religion.

"This is a case that’s important for all Americans whether you’re an American with religious convictions or sincere political convictions or moral convictions. No one in this country to should be forced to promote ideas they disagree with," said Jim Campbell of the Alliance Defending Freedom.

"We issued the right decision so I guess it’s up to a judge’s, it’s in a judge’s hands now to make the decision on whether or not who has the correct interpretation of our anti-discrimination laws," said Ray Sexton, HRC Executive Director.

The Human Rights Commission is confident its original ruling will be upheld.