Religious Freedom: 22 States Support Masterpiece Cakeshop Owner’s Right to Create Freely

Religious Freedom: 22 States Support Masterpiece Cakeshop Owner’s Right to Create Freely

Denver—Twenty-two states, six Colorado state legislators, and multiple advocacy groups have filed friend-of-the-court briefs with the Colorado Supreme Court, asking it to uphold the First Amendment freedoms of cake artist Jack Phillips and Masterpiece Cakeshop. The case name is: Scardina v. Masterpiece Cakeshop Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) attorneys representing Phillips and his cake shop filed…

Supreme Court to hear case of designer who won’t create websites for same-sex weddings

Supreme Court to hear case of designer who won’t create websites for same-sex weddings

CNA/ADF—The Supreme Court’s fall term features a major case that will push the question of religious liberty back into the national spotlight as the court determines whether or not a Colorado woman can be forced to violate her religious beliefs about marriage. Lorie Smith, an artist and small business owner, is challenging a Colorado state…

After Supreme Court victory, Colorado baker in court for declining gender transition cake

After Supreme Court victory, Colorado baker in court for declining gender transition cake

CNA—Jack Phillips, a Christian cake baker, was again in court for declining to make a cake that expresses messages contrary to his religious beliefs after an attorney who identifies as transgender filed suit over the bakery’s refusal to make a cake to celebrate a gender transition. The civil trial began March 22, conducted virtually by…

Supreme Court returns case of florist who declined gay wedding to lower court

Supreme Court returns case of florist who declined gay wedding to lower court

ADF/CNA—The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday vacated a Washington state ruling against local florist Barronelle Stutzman, who in 2013 declined to make flower arrangements for a same-sex wedding. The U.S. Supreme Court sent the case back to the Washington Supreme Court, instructing that the case be reconsidered in the light of Masterpiece Cakeshop decision earlier…

Supreme Court gives second chance to Oregon cake bakers who declined same-sex wedding

Supreme Court gives second chance to Oregon cake bakers who declined same-sex wedding

CNA—An Oregon bakery whose owners declined to make a cake celebrating a same-sex commitment ceremony will get another chance in court, after the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 17 ruling ordered lower courts to reconsider a massive fine and other penalties in light of a similar Colorado case. “The Constitution protects speech, popular or not, from…