State Based LGBTQ Leaders Respond to the Masterpiece Ruling:
Narrow Ruling Highlights Need for Federal Equality Act to Ensure Businesses Stay Open for All

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Today the Court recognized the harm of discrimination and reaffirmed that states can act to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination. The Court’s 7-2 decision in favor of the baker in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case is limited specifically to the unique circumstances of this case and calls into question actions from the Colorado Civil Rights Commission—but it leaves intact Colorado’s LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination protections, as well as similar protections in 19 states and 200+ cities and towns. In fact, the court expressly recognized that states can seek to prevent the harms of discrimination in the marketplace, including against LGBTQ people.

That is a relief to Daniel Ramos, Executive Director of One Colorado who responded to the decision by saying, “Coloradans across our state – including LGBTQ Coloradans and their families – can take heart from today’s decision that no matter who you are, who you love, or what you believe, you will still be protected in our state from discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations.”

Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority of the Supreme Court, stated, “Our society has come to the recognition that gay persons and gay couples cannot be treated as social outcasts or as inferior in dignity and worth. For that reason the laws and the Constitution can, and in some instances must, protect them in the exercise of their civil rights.”

Indeed, our nation decided more than 50 years ago that when a business decides to open its doors to the public, that business should be open to all. That principle reflects the core American value of treating others as we wish to be treated. That is why Equality Federation will continue to work with our member organizations—from Equality Florida to Equality New Mexico—to promote and defend state and local nondiscrimination protections.

And, in light of this ruling, Equality Federation joins businesses, civil rights advocates, religious leaders, health organizations, labor groups, LGBTQ people and our friends, families and allies to call on Congress to pass the Equality Act so that every hardworking LGBTQ American can provide for themselves and their families without fear of discrimination.

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Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of Equality Federation said, “Some will use this narrow ruling as fuel to divide us, but America is stronger when we work together and remain united for fairness across our differences in race, faith, and types of families. It is critical that we continue to fight discrimination. Full equality is our mission and that is what Equality Federation and our member organizations in every state will continue to achieve one step at a time.”

Nadine Smith, CEO of Equality Florida said, “Our message is that while the Supreme Court spoke only to this case and did not give businesses a blanket license to discriminate, we know that those who do seek to discriminate will be emboldened further. We can expect to see more discriminatory legislation. Now is the time for businesses large and small to make clear that they stand on the side of equality. “

Rev. Dr. Martin Eldred, pastor at Joy Lutheran in Eagle River, Alaska said, “The freedom to worship the God of one’s understanding in the way of one’s own choosing, is a foundational tenet of what makes our nation great. That freedom, however, should never be used as an excuse to exclude, persecute, or discriminate against anyone else.”

Queen Hatcher-Johnson, a transgender woman living in Georgia knows discrimination firsthand and is calling for an update to her state’s laws. “My landlord kicked me out of my home because I was transgender,” she said. “Trans women of color like me already face so many barriers in the way of our success. I don’t want anyone else to experience the sting and hardships due to discrimination that I have.”

CLICK HERE to tell your representatives to support the Equality Act!