Homophobic jeweller Craig Marks threatens legal action against LGBTQ backlash
Craig Marks, a Cape Town jewellery manufacturer that’s refused to make an engagement ring for a same-sex couple, says that it’s become the victim of hate speech from the LGBTQ community.
It was reported last week that Craig Marks Custom Made Fine Jewellery told a humiliated 30-year-old woman in a same-sex relationship that it did not want her business because “we follow Christ and do not want to partake in what God calls sin which is a man with a man or woman with a woman.”
There was widespread outrage from the LGBTQ community, including calls for a boycott of the company. The jeweller, which is owned by an individual named Craig Mark Quinton, has now aligned itself with the organisation Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA), a notoriously anti-LGBTQ Christian lobby group.
Michael Swain, Executive Director of FOR SA, is listed as the media contact at the end of a statement posted on the Craig Marks website on Wednesday.
In the defiant statement, Craig Marks says that after the story made headlines, it “received a backlash from the LGBT community in the form of harassment on our company Facebook page, and various forms of hate messages and mail.”
The company asserts that while it will manufacture any other kind of jewellery for an LGBTQ customer, “our conscience before God prohibits us from designing and manufacturing rings for the purpose of marriage which, according to the Bible, has a very specific definition and meaning.”
Despite claiming that it does not operate “out of hate, malice or prejudice towards any person” the statement makes it clear that the company’s problem is not just with same-sex marriage but in fact all LGBTQ individuals. It quotes biblical passages that condemn LGBTQ people as sinful and doomed to hell, such as citing 1 Corinthians 6:9: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor homosexuals.”
Craig Marks further asserts that its constitutional right to religious freedom supersedes the right of LGBTQ people to equality and protection from discrimination. Previous Equality Court decisions dispute this, as does the opinion of leading constitutional law expert Pierre De Vos who’s said that business owners cannot use their religious beliefs to deny LGBTQ people service.
Commenting on Twitter last week on the matter, De Vos stated that the company’s actions are “in breach of PEPUDA [the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act] and unlawful.”
Craig Marks warns in the statement that it’s now considering laying charges of crimen injuria with the SAPS and lodging “a complaint regarding the abuse of our right to dignity and the exercise of our freedom of religion” in response to “the malicious public attack on our company’s Facebook page and the hate mail received.”
“…should we continue to suffer threats, harassment or hate speech, we may have no alternative but to follow our legal representatives’ advice and take the necessary legal action, which could include an application for a protection order,” threatens the company.
A Facebook page believed to be that of Craig Marks owner Craig Mark Quinton is telling. It features ongoing warnings about Satan, demons and hell as well as anti-Islamic, homophobic and sexist comments and shares. One post states: “Islam is a religion of lies, hatred and violence started by Satan in the pits of hell,” while another rails against “woman [sic] wearing the pants.” He also recently shared a YouTube video about a woman who “found freedom after a homosexual lifestyle” as well as an article titled, “I was living a gay lifestyle but Christ transformed me.”
MambaOnline has contacted the Jewellery Council of South Africa (JCSA) about its position on members, such as Craig Marks, refusing to serve customers on a discriminatory basis. We were told that the CEO will comment when she returns from an overseas trip next week.
Just a word on that Corinthians quote. In fact it does not say: :Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor homosexuals.” The word “homosexual” did not exist in the Greek Paul wrote in. It was only inserted as a translation later to justify the bigotry and prejudices of the translators of the time.
Precisely Ken. The word “homosexual” first appeared in Germany in 1892 where, as information has it, the term was coined. So no, the bible text could never have said that.
And once again, people and businesses must keep in mind that our Constitution is secular. A diverse country such as ours (or any country for that matter) cannot be governed on purely christian “values” as many are not christian. Christians, and any religious group, have the right freedom of religion but that freedom stops when it violates the dignity and rights of those who differ from the religious view. The cake baker case in the USA applies there, not here. And if that case was heard in our courts, the cake baker would have lost. We are not the USA, we do a decent job of protecting the rights of our people.
When will people start realizing that the Bible was man made! Like everything else that happens in this cruel world. We are all “Gods”children. These so called “Christians” preach what they want to preach. Has everyone forgotten that it was the Catholic Priests who ruled to put Jesus on the cross. It’s a bloody joke and all these Christians Who read the “Bible” should be ashamed of themselves and let people choose who they want to marry, you have no right to make that decision for any human being.
I was going to leave it but I can’t. I am mot Catholic and not defending the Catholic Church. But truth is truth. Please can you provide evidence for your claim that ‘it was the Catholic priests who ruled to put Jesus on the cross’. Also, I am gay myself, but again I have to point out that not wanting to be part of something that one disagrees with is a far cry from assuming the right ‘to make that decision for any human being’. So you have the right to tell Craig what he is allowed to do and not to do – by the way he has done nothing of the sort, i.e. tell anyone who they are allowed to marry – while he doesn’t have the right to decide if he wants to be involved in something that he morally objects to. Some more evidence supporting the fact that liberalism is a mental disorder and the origin of fascism.
Your comments are Blasphemous. To a LIVING God. Your opinion Lacks knowledge. The Bible is the SPOKEN WORD of an Almighty God. By the Holy Spirit. The BIBLE is still The GREATEST book ever written. Brought to us Uncorrupted through the Ages.
The Bible is The SPOKEN WORD OF GOD. To the Holy Prophets. The WORD uncorrupted through the Ages. Brought to Us. The Bible is still THE GREATEST BOOK written. It can NEVER be destroyed! Only a smart individual would understand that.
Very easy. Vitriolic responses are not necessary. Simply boycott, encourage all allies to boycott. No need to spew hate and bile – just don’t buy. Principles are beautiful until the cash stops rolling in.
This case should be perused legally. Craig Marks needs to be held accountable for his criminality and apartheid era attitudes of exclusion and superiority.
This case should be pursued legally. Craig Marks needs to be held accountable for his criminality and apartheid era attitudes of exclusion and superiority.
“…should we continue to suffer threats, harassment or hate speech…”
Welcome to our everyday lives buddy! You and everyone else threaten, harass and speak ill against us daily, yet we have to lie down and take it? How about you take some of your own medicine now?
I am always amazed at how squeamish bullies are when the shoe is on the other foot. As soon as the bullied fights back, they cry foul play. siestog. Who exactly does Craig Marks aim on taking legal action against? The whole of the LGBTQ community? And B, sorry, I don’t agree: Outrage is necessary. The bullies will not stop until they are called out loud and clear. How do you encourage allies to boycot unless you go public? Word of mouth is very last century.
Victoria’s Jewellers Alfred Mall Waterfront is Gay owned and operated – we will gladly assist any members of the gay and heterosexual Community with their upcoming nuptials. All are welcome and treated as such. We are adept in Cad design and or making of any jewellery items to your exact specifications. See you there