Supreme Court Rules Web Designer Can Refuse Services To Same-Sex Weddings; Activists See Ruling As Setback To LGBTQ Rights
deadline.comThe Supreme Court ruled that a website designer could refuse to provide services for same-sex weddings, despite a Colorado non-discrimination law.
The court ruled that the designer was within First Amendment rights to refuse such services, but activists said the decision was a setback for LGBTQ rights. “This is a dangerous step backward and gives some businesses the license to discriminate,” The Human Rights Campaign said in a statement.
In the ruling (read it here), the court was split 6-3 along ideological lines. The case involved a website designer, Lorie Smith, who wanted to expand her graphic design business to couples seeking wedding websites.
Worried that she would be challenged if she refused to create sites for same-sex couples, she filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to prevent Colorado from enforcing a statute barring discrimination in public accommodation, including discrimination based on sexual orientation.
