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Constitutional Law Keyed to Choper
Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission
Citation:
584 U.S. ___ (138 S.Ct. 1719) (2018)Facts
Jack Phillips, a devout Christian, has owned and operated Masterpiece Cakeshop in Colorado for over 24 years. He considers his cake creation to be an artistic expression that reflects his religious beliefs. In 2012, Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins visited Phillips’ bakery to order a wedding cake for their upcoming reception. At the time, Colorado did not recognize same-sex marriages. When the couple requested a wedding cake, Phillips informed them that he would not create a cake for a same-sex wedding due to his religious beliefs, though he offered to sell them other baked goods. The couple filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Division, alleging discrimination based on sexual orientation in violation of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. During the Commission’s public hearings, some commissioners made statements that appeared dismissive of Phillips’ religious beliefs, comparing them to defenses of slavery and the Holocaust.
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