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Indiana law inspires pastor to hand out cupcakes at gay bars

Drew Ludwig's Facebook page

Indiana's controversial religious freedom law has inspired a tasty response from a Buffalo pastor. Rev. Drew Ludwig of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church has organized what he is calling a Christian Cake Mob Saturday night in the city's Allentown neighborhood. He and a group of supporters will hand out free cupcakes outside of the district's gay bars.

Ludwig says he came up with the concept as a way to express his own religious freedom, in response to the Indiana law that critics say could allow business owners to discriminate against gay people. He says the event is meant to counter the idea that Christians shouldn't serve the LGBTQ community.

"The more the merrier. If can have 50 people each passing out two dozen cupcakes, that would just flood Allen Street with cupcakes," Ludwig told WBFO. "I just want to show that Christians can, in fact, bake cake for gay people."

Ludwig says the idea of handing out cupcakes came up because many cite the scenario of bakeries refusing to cater a gay wedding in reference to the Indiana law. He says the movement has gained the support of Christians and non-Christians alike.

"I've even had folks who don't share the faith but love what we're doing and [asked] to bake some cupcakes. I've got some vegan cupcakes from people who wanted to make sure we had vegan options. It's a wide diversity of people that are getting behind this idea," said Ludwig.

The gathering starts at 10 p.m. Saturday outside Cathode Ray on Allen Street. Ludwig says anyone is welcome to join in by baking and handing out the cupcakes. He is encouraging participants to use the hashtag #ChristianCakeMob on social media.

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m.. - 2 p.m.
Avery began his broadcasting career as a disc jockey for WRUB, the University at Buffalo’s student-run radio station.