Written by Don Byrd
The Colorado Supreme Court this week declined to hear the appeal in a controversial case involving cake shop owner Jack Phillips, who refused on religious grounds to provide a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. The decision leaves in place a Colorado Appeals Court’s ruling, which rejected his religious freedom defense to charges of discrimination under the state’s anti-discrimination law.
The Denver Post has more:
In their ruling, the appellate judges found that the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act does not compel the cake shop owner to endorse any religious views. Instead, it prohibits Phillips from discriminating against customers based on their sexual orientation.
In their appeal, Phillips’ attorneys asked the Colorado Supreme Court to decide whether Phillips’ religious beliefs about marriage are being violated. They also asked the justices to consider whether forcing Phillips to create an “artistic expression” that is against his religious beliefs violates his free speech rights.
The state’s high court, which selects the cases it hears, declined to take up the case.
Phillips’ attorneys could appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, and according to the Denver Post article, are “evaluating all legal options.”
