Prominent LGBTIQ+ activist Peter Tatchell has penned a piece for ‘The Guardian’ explaining why he supports a Northern Irish bakery’s right to refuse to make a cake with a pro-marriage equality slogan.

Ashers Bakery in Belfast was found guilty of discrimination in 2015 and the case is about to be appealed. Tatchell says while he wishes to defend the gay community, he also wants to defend freedom of conscience, expression and religion.

“The law suit against the bakery was well-intended,” he writes, “It sought to challenge homophobia. But it was a step too far. It pains me to say this, as a long-time supporter of the struggle for LGBT equality in Northern Ireland, where same-sex marriage and gay blood donors remain banned.”

Tatchell argues that the customer’s request was denied not because he was gay, but because of the message he had asked for.

“There is no evidence that his sexuality was the reason Ashers declined [the] order,” he wrote.

The bakers appeal against the Court’s decision began today.