Gay pastor claims Whole Foods called him a 'fag'

AUSTIN, Texas (Christian Examiner) – A man who claims to be pastor of a new "inclusive" church in Austin, Texas, is crying foul after he discovered a homophobic slur written on a cake he ordered from grocery giant Whole Foods.

The team member wrote 'Love Wins' at the top of the cake as requested by the guest and that's exactly how the cake was packaged and sold at the store. Our team members do not accept or design bakery orders that include language or images that are offensive. Whole Foods Market has a zero tolerance policy for discrimination. We stand behind our bakery team member, who is part of the LGBTQ community, and the additional team members from the store, who confirmed the cake was decorated with only the message 'Love Wins.'

Jordan Brown said in a video April 14 that he ordered the cake with the phrase "Love Wins" on top. When he picked it up and returned home, however, he said he was surprised to see "Love Wins Fag" – a clear reference to his sexual preference. Brown has said he is gay.

In the video, the cake box is depicted by Brown as sealed. He said he discovered the slur when he got into his car with the cake and he also showed a receipt for the cake.

Brown recently founded Church of Open Doors in Austin, which claims it has "taken tradition and religious doctrine and thrown them out the window."

The church's website also calls it a "whosoever church," or one accepting and affirming all people regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation.

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

Whole Foods, which proudly announced its support of the LGBT community following the Supreme Court's legalization of same-sex marriage last year, claims the cake left its facility with only the phrase "Love Wins" on it. The organization also claimed the employee involved in its production is a member of the LGBT community.

"The team member wrote 'Love Wins' at the top of the cake as requested by the guest and that's exactly how the cake was packaged and sold at the store. Our team members do not accept or design bakery orders that include language or images that are offensive. Whole Foods Market has a zero tolerance policy for discrimination. We stand behind our bakery team member, who is part of the LGBTQ community, and the additional team members from the store, who confirmed the cake was decorated with only the message 'Love Wins,'" the  said.

Brown is now suing Whole Foods.