SCOTUS rules in favor of Christian designer who refuses to do same-sex wedding websites

J.D. Capelouto
·1 min read
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The News

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 Friday that the First Amendment protects a Christian web designer's right to refuse services for same-sex marriages.

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Lorie Smith had challenged a Colorado law that prohibits businesses from discriminating against LGBTQ people; Smith said her religious beliefs should exempt her from that rule.

Advocacy groups worried that if the court ruled in Smith’s favor, it would have a ripple effect on other states' anti-discrimination laws, possibly allowing more business owners to refuse services based on their personal beliefs.

Smith argued she has a constitutional right under the First Amendment to not design wedding websites for same-sex couples.

A day before the ruling, The New Republic reported on apparent inconsistencies in the filings for the case. A court document stated a man named Stewart contacted Smith and asked her to make a website for his wedding. But that man told The New Republic that he never made such a request — and he has been married to a woman for the past 15 years.