US Supreme Court takes up case of graphic artist who objects to designing wedding websites for gays
The Supreme Court is currently hearing a case involving a Christian graphic artist who refuses to design wedding websites for gay couples. This case highlights the ongoing conflict between religious beliefs and LGBTQ+ rights, and it has reached the highest court in the land. The artist and her supporters argue that ruling against her would compel artists of all types, including painters, photographers, writers, and musicians, to create work that goes against their faith. On the other hand, opponents of the artist argue that if she were to win the case, it would set a precedent that allows various businesses to discriminate against Black customers, Jewish or Muslim individuals, interracial or interfaith couples, immigrants, and others.
This case comes at a time when the Supreme Court is predominantly conservative, with a 6-3 majority. The court has recently favored religious plaintiffs in a series of cases. Furthermore, right across from the Supreme Court, Congress is finalizing a groundbreaking bill that protects same-sex marriage. This bill also safeguards interracial marriages, and its support gained momentum following the Supreme Court’s decision earlier this year to remove constitutional protections for abortion. This decision to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade case has raised concerns about whether the more conservative court might also reconsider its 2015 ruling that recognized same-sex marriage as a nationwide right. Justice Clarence Thomas explicitly expressed his belief that this decision should be reevaluated.
The case currently being argued before the Supreme Court involves Lorie Smith, a graphic artist and website designer from Colorado who wishes to offer wedding websites. Smith argues that her Christian faith prohibits her from creating websites that celebrate same-sex marriages. However, this stance could bring her into conflict with state law. Colorado, like most other states, has a public accommodation law that requires Smith to provide wedding websites to all customers if she offers them to the public. Violating this law can result in fines and other penalties.
Five years ago, the Supreme Court heard a similar case involving Colorado’s law and a baker named Jack Phillips who objected to designing a wedding cake for a gay couple. However, the court only issued a limited decision in that case, leaving the issue open for further consideration. Phillips’ lawyer, Kristen Waggoner from the Alliance Defending Freedom, is now representing Smith.
Similar to Phillips, Smith clarifies that her objection is not to working with gay individuals. She states that she would gladly assist a gay client who needed help with graphics for an animal rescue shelter or to promote an organization serving children with disabilities. However, she objects to creating messages that support same-sex marriage, just as she would decline jobs that require her to create content promoting atheism, gambling, or supporting abortion.
Smith argues that Colorado’s law infringes upon her freedom of speech rights. Her opponents, including the Biden administration and groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, disagree with her stance.
In terms of support, twenty mostly liberal states, including California and New York, are backing Colorado, while another twenty mostly Republican states, such as Arizona, Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee, are supporting Smith in this case.
