On Dec. 5, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments in the case 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis — yet another case that seeks to strip LGBTQ+ people of their civil rights under the guise of so-called “religious freedom.”
The plaintiff, Colorado web designer Laurie Smith has never provided wedding services to any client and thus has never been presented with the opportunity to refuse to work with a same-sex couple. Instead, her lawsuit serves as a test case to prompt the Supreme Court into rolling back civil rights for millions of Americans.
Colorados Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) limits a place of public accommodation’s ability to refuse services to a customer based on their identity. While Smith says she does not wish to violate CADA, she believes that the state is limiting her religious freedoms protected by the First Amendment.
With the results of Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the overturning of Roe v. Wade earlier this year, and the overwhelming legal threats to the lives of LGBTQ+ people, the outcome of this case is unsure, although oral arguments early this week indicated the Court may be receptive to a religious freedom argument.
Along with the recent events in Colorado at Club Q, the climate for LGBTQ+ people in Colorado is increasingly concerning, and we hope to see a resolution that honors the civil rights and dignity of all people.