Patrick Stewart Backs Christian Bakers In 'Gay Cake Row' On Newsnight | HuffPost

LGBT Supporter Patrick Stewart's Thoughts On The 'Gay Cake' Row May Surprise You

Sara C Nelson— Huffington Post UK

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Famed Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart has joined the “gay cake” row by revealing he supports the Christian bakers who refused to ice a message promoting same sex marriage.

Belfast-based firm Ashers Baking Company was found guilty of discrimination last month, following the incident.

The firm said it would not make the Sesame Street cake which celebrated gay marriage because it conflicted with the owner’s religious beliefs.

Patrick Stewart

Stewart, who is a renowned supporter of LGBT rights, was discussing his campaign work for human rights on Newsnight with Evan Davis when he was asked what he made of the matter.

Describing it as a “deliciously difficult subject," he replied: “Finally I found myself on the side of the bakers.

“It was not because it was a gay couple that they objected, it was not because they were celebrating some sort of marriage or an agreement between them.

Gareth Lee, a gay rights activist, did manage to get a cake made as requested

“It was the actual words on the cake they objected to. Because they found the words offensive.

“I would support their rights to say no, this is personally offensive to my beliefs, I will not do it.”

Professor Graham Walker, a politics academic at Queen's University Belfast, said the case had proven a "phyrric victory" for the gay rights movement in Northern Ireland.

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He told HuffPost UK: "The verdict has created a difficult context for movement on this issue. It has made opponents of gay marriage here all the more defiant and determined.

"There was considerable sympathy for Ashers across the sectarian divide and indeed beyond. There were even letters in The Guardian regretting the outcome. It is hard not to conclude that this case should never have gone to court."

Ireland votes yes to gay marriage

Ireland Gay Marriage(01 of16)

Yes supporters react at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Ireland Gay Marriage(02 of16)

Rory O'Neill, known by the Drag persona Panti, celebrates with yes supporters at Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Ireland Gay Marriage(03 of16)

Yes supporters celebrate at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Ireland Gay Marriage(04 of16)

Yes supporters celebrate after the final result at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Ireland Gay Marriage(05 of16)

Two women kiss as first results in the referendum begin to filter through at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Ireland Gay Marriage(06 of16)

Yes supporters celebrate as first results begin to filter through in referendum at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Ireland Gay Marriage(07 of16)

Yes supporters celebrate as first results in the Irish referendum start to come through at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Ireland Gay Marriage(08 of16)

A yes supporter waits at Dublin castle for the final result in the referendum in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Ireland Gay Marriage(09 of16)

Two men kiss as first results start to filter through in the referendum, Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Ireland Gay Marriage(10 of16)

Yes supporters celebrate after as the first results start to filter through in the Irish referendum in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Ireland Gay Marriage(11 of16)

Partners Adrian, left and Shane, arrive to vote at a polling station in Drogheda, Ireland, Friday, May 22, 2015. Ireland began voting Friday in a referendum on Gay marriage which will require an amendment to the Irish constitution. Opinion polls throughout the two-month campaign suggest the government-backed amendment should be approved by the required majority of voters when results are announced Saturday. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Ireland Gay Marriage(12 of16)

Members of the Yes Equality campaign begin canvassing in the center of Dublin, Ireland, Thursday May 21, 2015. People from across the Republic of Ireland will vote Friday in a referendum on the legalization of gay marriage, a vote that pits the power of the Catholic Church against the secular-minded Irish government of Enda Kenny. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Ireland Holds Referendum On Same Sex Marriage Law(13 of16)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - MAY 23: A gay couple kiss in Dublin Castle Square as the result of the referendum is relayed on May 23, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. Voters in the Republic of Ireland were taking part in a referendum on legalising same-sex marriage on Friday. The referendum was held 22 years after Ireland decriminalised homosexuality with more than 3.2m people being asked whether they want to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. Ireland voted overwhelmingly to legalise same-sex marriage in a historic referendum. More than 62% voted in favour of amending the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. It is the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular vote. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) (credit:Charles McQuillan via Getty Images)

Ireland Holds Referendum On Same Sex Marriage Law(14 of16)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - MAY 23: Thousands of people celebrate in Dublin Castle Square as the result of the referendum is relayed on May 23, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. Voters in the Republic of Ireland were taking part in a referendum on legalising same-sex marriage on Friday. The referendum was held 22 years after Ireland decriminalised homosexuality with more than 3.2m people being asked whether they want to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. Ireland voted overwhelmingly to legalise same-sex marriage in a historic referendum. More than 62% voted in favour of amending the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. It is the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular vote. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) (credit:Charles McQuillan via Getty Images)

Ireland Holds Referendum On Same Sex Marriage Law(15 of16)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - MAY 23: An emotional gay couple celebrate in Dublin Castle Square as the result of the referendum is relayed on May 23, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. Voters in the Republic of Ireland were taking part in a referendum on legalising same-sex marriage on Friday. The referendum was held 22 years after Ireland decriminalised homosexuality with more than 3.2m people being asked whether they want to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. Ireland voted overwhelmingly to legalise same-sex marriage in a historic referendum. More than 62% voted in favour of amending the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. It is the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular vote. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) (credit:Charles McQuillan via Getty Images)

IRELAND-GAY-MARRIAGE-VOTE(16 of16)

Irish Senator Katherine Zappone (L) kisses her partner Ann Louise Gilligan as supporters for same-sex marriage wait for the result of the referendum at Dublin Castle on May 23, 2015 in Dublin. Yes voters were basking in the sunshine today as they gathered to celebrate an expected victory in Ireland's referendum on whether to approve same-sex marriage.AFP PHOTO / Paul Faith (Photo credit should read PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PAUL FAITH via Getty Images)

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