The United States Supreme Court found 6-3 in favour of Lorie Smith, know her husband and website
Smith is a graphic designer from Colorado who challenged a state anti-discrimination law that obliged her to create wedding websites for same-s*x marriages.
Who is Lorie Smith Colorado graphic web designer owner of 307 creative, husband, religion, website
Laurie, the owner of 303 Creative, is an evangelical Christian who said she believes marriage can only exist between a man and a woman, Smith, 38, is married with one child and lives in the Denver suburb of Littleton.
Today's face of Christian Fascism: Lorie Smith the amateur web designer who decided her rights were being trampled by the mere possibility of having to design a website for a same-sex couple–even though no one had ever asked her to do that. pic.twitter.com/MgyzbeF4nC
— JaneDoeMD (@Caerage) June 30, 2023
On Friday, The Supreme Court ruled in favour of a Christian graphic artist from Colorado who does not want to design wedding websites for same-sex couples. It finds that the state cannot force the designer to express messages that are contrary to her deeply held religious beliefs under the First Amendment.
In his majority decision, Justice Neil Gorsuch emphasised that the nation’s attitude should be tolerant rather than forced. He wrote, “The First Amendment envisions the United States as a rich and complex place where all persons are free to think and speak as they wish, not as the government demands.”
He added to Colorado’s public accommodations, “If she wishes to speak, she must either speak as the State demands or face sanctions for expressing her own beliefs. Sanctions may include compulsory participation in remedial training,’ filing periodic compliance reports as officials deem necessary, and paying monetary fines. Under our precedents, that ‘is enough,’ more than enough, to represent an impermissible abridgement of the First Amendment’s right to speak freely.”
Lorie Smith’s Fight Against Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act
Lorie Smith, the owner of 303 Creative, claimed that the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) violated her First Amendment rights and religious convictions. Smith endured threats and abuse throughout the case.
She insisted that she had no objection to working with the LGBTQ+ community but objected to spreading beliefs contrary to her faith.
Implications and Precedent
The Supreme Court’s ruling acknowledges a precedent under which businesses can constitutionally deny services to LGBTQ+ individuals in certain circumstances under the First Amendment.
While the ruling recognises the relevance of public accommodations legislation, it also recognises the Constitution’s mandates. Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s dissenting opinion highlighted concerns about allowing corporations the constitutional power to reject services to protected classes.
The Supreme Court’s decision in favour of Lorie Smith emphasises the delicate balance between LGBTQ+ non-discrimination and First Amendment protection.
This ruling opens the way for future debate on the junction of free speech and anti-discrimination legislation, which will significantly impact the ongoing fight for equality in the United States.
The Supreme Court sided with Lorie Smith, a web designer who said she had the right to refuse services for same-sex marriages. Smith spoke about the ruling on Friday at a news conference with the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group. https://t.co/bDEJcUxZiL pic.twitter.com/iMYSeGCPNS
— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 30, 2023
The #SCOTUS ruling on #LorieSmith v CO is a win for both religious liberty and cancel culture.
The freedom of association cuts both ways. pic.twitter.com/EcpHINfVAW
— Libertarian Party of Louisiana (@LouisianaLp) June 30, 2023