Karen Ramirez Professor J Political Science 16 July 2024 Cake and Controversy In the case of Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, Jack Phillips, the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Colorado, refused to create a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, Charlie Craig and David Mullins, stating that it went against his religious beliefs. The couple filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, arguing that Phillips' refusal violated Colorado's anti-discrimination laws, which protect individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation. The Commission agreed with the couple and ruled that Phillips must provide wedding cakes to same-sex couples just as he does for opposite-sex couples. Phillips appealed the …show more content…
Forcing individuals to act against their deeply held religious beliefs can cause people to feel marginalized and that their religious practices and beliefs are unwelcome in society. Ultimately, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Phillips, mainly because of how the Colorado Civil Rights Commission handled his case. The Court found that the Commission showed animosity toward Phillips' religious beliefs, violating his First Amendment right to freely practice his religion. However, the ruling was narrow and did not address whether businesses can refuse services because of religious beliefs. In a similar case, Elane Photography, LLC v. Willock, Elane Huguenin, owner of Elane Photography in New Mexico, refused to provide services for Vanessa Willock's same-sex wedding due to her religious beliefs regarding homosexuality. Willock sued under the New Mexico Human Rights Act for discrimination based on sexual orientation. The New Mexico Human Rights Commission agreed with Willock. Unlike in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the New Mexico Supreme Court supported the Commission's
Barronelle Stutzman, rejected the couple, stating that “doing so would be expressing support for marriage of same-sex couples, in conflict with her religious beliefs and free speech rights” (Americans United). After this, the couple decided to file a lawsuit against the shop. In the court case entitled State of Washington v. Arlene’s Flowers, the Benton County Superior Court ruled in favor of the couple, as Stutzman appealed to the state supreme court. In response to the case, the organization Americans
stream news networks, there is a Supreme Court case down in Colorado. The case name is Master Piece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The religious aspect that this Supreme Court case has screaming right away is the actions of Mr. Philips decision in which "pits religious believers against the nonreligious". Mr. Philips denied making a cake for Charlie Craig and David Mullins which caused controversy within the state of Colorado. This case as well is brining many other issues to light
It was never just about the cake in the United States Supreme Court case, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. In a 7 to 2 vote, the Supreme Court reversed the Colorado Commission’s decision which had found that Jack Phillips, the owner of the Masterpiece Cakeshop, was not within his First Amendment rights when he refused to bake a cake for the gay couple, Charlie Craig and David Mullins. Although controversial, proponents of the First Amendment count this as a huge win. Perhaps