Washington florist to testify before Indiana Legislature

RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) _ A Washington florist who refused to provide flowers to a gay wedding is set to testify before an Indiana legislative committee.

The owner of Arlene's Flowers says she will be speaking against two bills before the Indiana Senate Rules Committee. She says people should not be forced to participate in events that conflict with their beliefs.

The Tri-City Herald reports (http://is.gd/HUwjss ) Barronelle Stutzman says in a statement that in creative professions, people regularly make decisions about how they will use their artistic talents and the events in which they will participate. She is opposing Senate Bills 100 and 344.

Stutzman says she and others should have artistic freedom and the right to disagree without having being threatened by the government.