Supreme Court hears case of web designer who doesn't want to work on same-sex weddings

  • 📰 NPR
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 40 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 19%
  • Publisher: 63%

Law Law Headlines News

Law Law Latest News,Law Law Headlines

Colorado, like 29 other states, requires businesses that are open to the public to offer equal access to everyone, regardless of race, religion, and sexual orientation, and gender. Lorie Smith claims the law violates her right to freedom of speech.

Lorie Smith, the owner of 303 Creative, a website design company in Colorado, speaks Monday to reporters outside of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington.Lorie Smith, the owner of 303 Creative, a website design company in Colorado, speaks Monday to reporters outside of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington.The U.S. Supreme Court heard more than two hours of arguments Monday in a constitutional test of state public accommodations laws that protect same-sex couples from discrimination.

Challenging the law is Lorie Smith, a custom web designer who is opposed to same-sex marriage."I want to design for weddings that are consistent with my faith," she says. Sotomayor asked a question that recurred several times."How about people who don't believe in interracial marriage?" she wanted to know. For example, there could be business owners who say,"I'm not going to serve those people because I don't believe Black people and white people should get married." Would this be permissible?

All the justices pressed each side to draw a limiting line. If the court says Lorie Smith does not have to provide her services for same-sex weddings, then what about the baker, the jeweler, the tailor, the photographer and the caterer?

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.

Even nazis?

I hope her business fails due to decent humans finding better vendors.

I don't maybe just don't take jobs from them - save the taxpayers a frivolous law suit.

She’s never been asked to do business with a gay person - just thought she would sue anyway. Attention?

And if she objects to mixed marriages? Only customers who agree with her can buy her products? She can limit her products. She shouldn’t be able to limit her customers based on anything but their customer behavior. No shirt no shoes no service is fine. No LGBT is NOT fine.

Lorie Smith is a homophobic bigot.

It does violate her first amendment right. It takes away her God given right to hate who she wants and discriminate against them 😳

Religion poisons the brain 🧠

“your freedom to express your identity infringes on my freedom to be a bigot”

Your freedom of speech, religious beliefs and personal prejudices do not give you the right to deny the freedoms of others.

Trying to force people to like each other does just the opposite.

Pretty sure there's a landmark case about a cake shop not wanting to make a cake for gays because lf 1A and that kind of bullshit works both ways.

A Federalist Society Sham.

That’s not freedom of speech, it’s freedom of religion. How do you even get that wrong with your own article?

And she does not do weddings. So…

Just another racist bigot Karen wanting her 5 minutes of fame.

Im always impressed by people who refuse work on basis of their belief and values. There are so many Hindu immigrants working at fast food restaurants serving up burgers. They don’t eat it, but they know it’s a business, people do and it’s a paying job. They move on.

In 2022...

does having money entitle you to someone elses time or body . if she as corporation you could make point that she should offer services equally. but as sol P. she should be able to own her labor and serve who she wants, let the free market work it out SCOTUSblog

these laws are unconstitutional. forcing someone to work for you that doesn't want to work for you is slavery. government business of course are for public. but business is open for profit not for public. having money doesn't entitle you to someone's body

Bahahahaha hmmm so now you can make and lbgt baker to make an anti lbgt cake huh

If you go to a bakery and ask for a cheeseburger, it is not discrimination if the business does not have a template for cheeseburgers. Lori Smith’s company clearly does not have a template for the argumentative request.

As I see it, it's more about freedom of religion. Besides, she doesn't even have the website business yet, so it's all hypothetical. Am curious how SCOTUS will rule.

I don’t wanna serve Christians or make websites for their weddings. Is that OK?

It absolutely does limit her right to freedom of speech as well as her right to association.

Can tech companies ban conservatives from the web based on this? If the tech companies are half as leftist as conservatives say, they would be onboard.

The number of replies on this thread from ppl who would be totally fine turning the whole country into a sunset country is very disheartening

Her protected 1st Amendment rights trump any state law.

How is a website that is to feature other people an expression of her speech?

Marriage Equality Act - Just passed with bi-partisan support. This is the part the (so=called) news media dfid not promote. same-ole.

These are the same people who were refusing to wear masks and complaining because businesses wouldn't let them in without one during COVID...they can't make up their minds 🙄

I'm waiting for some Christian group to get together and go to every gay owned business and force them to make a bunch of bible or crucifix cakes or put on their pro trump wedding or something. lol Come on christians, you can do it!

Be interested to know which Biblical traditional marriages she favors....

In a pluralistic country, one religion does not dictate the freedom of others.

Christians, if you want free speech, then stop fighting to pass laws to restrict others' free speech. You can't fight to pass speech codes for teachers, laws to ban drag shows, etc....and then claim your free speech is being violated.

I do not believe that free speech means we have the right to disregard any laws we choose to.

It does violate her first amendment right. It takes the right for her God given right to hate who she wants and discriminate against them 😳

Public television should be required to air every illegal border crossing caught on film.

What's messed up is let a Muslim business owner deny her and see the made-up Christian mobs go against that business. Bunch of hypocrites

I disagree with her opposition to LGBTQ folks. But what if neo-Naziis, white supremacists, racists, the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, or any group of similar ilk wanted her to make a website for them? Would she be required by law to do so?

I don't think our local Jewish bakery, which is awesome, would be OK making a Nazi cake. That's my two centz.

America and its love-fest with discrimination continues on

Interesting article that argues the position that Web Design is not ‘Art’.

I don't think freedom of speech was the one she was looking to use to try and push her already shaky point. Also how do Christians miss the BIGGEST POINT OF THE BIBLE WHICH IS TO LOVE PEOPLE? Jesus literally helped prostitutes

It’s not her speech….it’s her potential customers

It may seem trivial when you're talking about cakes & such but if you allow someone to arbitrarily withhold goods/services in such a way, it could lead to withholding non-trivial goods/services, based upon 'religious freedom'.

Why do my tax dollars find this leftist propaganda? The headline should say, case to determine if a state law can complie speech and suppress a person's 1st amendment right of religion.

What about Women's clubs? They are always exempt. Same with Ethnic clubs. You may enter but they make certain you know you are not welcome

Unpopular take: Businesses have the right to refuse service to anyone just like Anyone has the right to take their business somewhere else. Can't it be that simple? Why force a business to adhere to your personal standards if they don't want to? Let them fall on the sword.

What a pear-shaped loser.

If she wins than anyone can refuse service to a Republican/MAGA/Christian/ whatever. That is the precedent this sets.

Unconstitutional

'Like 29 other States...' So....Might Makes Right? Uhhh....NO.

She is a farce and a puppet for the far right outrage machine. And somehow, it’s working for them.

Giving graphic designers a bad name

Where is the hahaha button?

Also, why is Alito comparing gay couples to cheaters and racists? Kind of a weird comparison there.

If this is ruled for Smith, does this mean Atheists can deny Christians services (which of course would mean that Christians could be forced to announce their preferences in order to be marked as such)? Or is this purely a one way thing?

Any business should have to apply the same policy for everyone. Example: if you allow straight couples to have intimate photos then you should have to allow the same for gay couples. But your policy could be to not allow intimate photos for anybody.

Lorie Smith is a horrible human being.

I reserve the right to kick your ass to the curb...not serve you.. have you removed by jack booted thugs. Ok I do own some boots. And kiss my ass. This is America!

Maybe this...if you're allowed to deny svc to certain groups of ppl you're required to post it at the door or homepage. That way folks know going in what type of bus. is being run here and ppl, incl. those that aren't part of said grp, can decide if they want to do bus. there.

What if my religious persuasion told me that providing business services to Christians was wrong, would this denial of services also be protected?

The web site speaks for the couple being married, not the web site producer. This is just MAGA driven hate

That’s fine, she can be a freelance and not have a gov registered corporation. She can then take any clients she wants and doesn’t want as she is working as an individual, but without the tax help registered corporations get. She just wants to have it both ways!

Or whether or not they choose to wear a mask during lockdowns?

I’m going to ask a Muslim business in Colorado to make a cartoon of Muhammad, and when they look at me with the “are you serious?” look, I’m going to point to this tweet.

Then move to a state that doesn't require that.

Time to start refusing service to Christians.

Ridiculous

Excellent propaganda use the False Dichotomy Fallacy. You guys are providing some stiff competition to Reuters. For regular NPR listeners, here's what that fallacy is: Serving anybody is not equivalent to serving everybody what they want.

theres plenty of other places to get a website made but lets sue

The headline omits that there is a conflict between the 'religion' and 'sexual orientation' parts. FakeNews FalseOutrage Intentionally Incomplete coverage from progressive NPR propaganda factory. COVER ALL ANGLES NEXT TIME so I wont have to give you an F grade next time.

bigots love using “free speech” to justify their ignorance

NPR colluded with the elections. Fact.

It does violate her rights. You can’t force someone to use their creative talents on something they abhor. Didn’t this get covered with the cakes?

Thought NPR NEW SOME HISTORY,, guess not

Lori Smith uses her religion to spread hate. Pure and simple. Another Christofascists hoping to make a buck from all the simps that thinks she's 'so brave' for making a scene when all she had to do was move to a different state. Because you know, states rights and all.

Because it's against a well established religious belief and you can't FORCE people to do what is against their religion in America. Congress shall make no law.

I laugh reading about “rights” she has her right to religion and speech

No different than a construction company refusing to build a house shaped like the dharmachakra. Sure it looks like a swastika but since they offer services to build homes, they are in no position to refuse service on any grounds. U build webpages, u do not create them

Does NPR give equal time in it's reporting to Trump? If not, why are you discriminating?

This nonsense has surpassed ridiculous. There isn’t even an instance when she was asked to do this. The court is so eager to dismantle rights, they can’t even wait for a real case.

Absolutely ridiculous!! Businesses should be able to refuse service to anyone!!

Eight billion people on this planet. Surely there is some to do the job.

Should 'public' TV be required to show ultrasounds of an abortion?

It’s a cash grab. When the florist in Richland, WA sued for the same thing she made hundreds of thousands in donations then retired.

She should move to a state that supports her bigotry. Buh bye.

Protect this precious bigot from a society of equal rights

Sooo…does she refuse to design a site if the couple has had pre-marital sex? If they’ve been divorced? If they are not of the same religion? What about atheists? 🤔slipperyslope Discrimination

Well then she’s a fool and any court she be denyi by her case as a frivolous lawsuit.

I designed webpages. I am not an artist I am a computer science engineer. I learned to code html and manipulate digital artwork. My clients they pay me to construct a webpage front. Operative word 'construct'

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 96. in LAW

Law Law Latest News, Law Law Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Latest Colorado Case Targeting Gay Weddings Hits U.S. Supreme CourtInside an incredibly controversial Colorado case before the U.S. Supreme Court today. Just another Alphabet Mafia hit job! I'm sure there are plenty of gay bakers here in California East ( formerly Colorado). That is some weakass phrasing
Source: denverwestword - 🏆 315. / 61 Read more »

Christian baker, artists rally for Colorado website designer outside Supreme CourtChristian creators, artists and photographers from across the nation had a message Monday for Colorado website designer Lorie Smith: You're not alone. How can ya not think that all these suits are nothing more than set ups for attention? She's certainly not the only graphic designer in the country. SCOTUS should find in the same vein as the baker.
Source: WashTimes - 🏆 235. / 63 Read more »

Supreme Court hears case of Colorado wedding website refusing gay marriage workThe Supreme Court is eyeing Colorado's law barring businesses from discriminating against gay, lesbian or transgender people in a free-speech challenge. I should start a gay marriage website. Pretty sure straight people would not come after me. You can't mandate people to work for you.
Source: CNBC - 🏆 12. / 72 Read more »

Supreme Court justices spar in latest clash of religion and LGBTQ+ rights in ColoradoThe Supreme Court's conservative majority is sounding sympathetic to a Christian graphic artist who objects to designing wedding websites for gay couples.
Source: ABC7NY - 🏆 592. / 51 Read more »

Supreme Court justices spar in latest clash of religion and LGBTQ+ rights in ColoradoThe Supreme Court's conservative majority is sounding sympathetic to a Christian graphic artist who objects to designing wedding websites for gay couples. ABSOLUTELY the right decision... Why is the 'conservative majority' the reason that thinks is what controls the thinking and decisions made by the SCOTUS ? Would you say the same thing if the court was 'left leaning'? Why must the MSM continue to DIVIDE US DanAshleyABC7 abc7kristensze
Source: abc7newsbayarea - 🏆 529. / 51 Read more »

Supreme Court justices spar in latest clash of religion and LGBTQ+ rights in ColoradoThe Supreme Court's conservative majority is sounding sympathetic to a Christian graphic artist who objects to designing wedding websites for gay couples. Homosexuals need to learn how to bake. Christina. Who is she?
Source: ABC7Chicago - 🏆 284. / 63 Read more »