Colorado courts have ruled on the appeal of Lakewood Colorado's Masterpiece Bakery vs. gay couple Charlie Craig and David Mullins, saying that religious faith is not reason enough to deny same-sex couples their right to a cake.
The 2012 ruling on the Colorado case brought out passionate supporters for both sides of the debate and posed the question: is it a constitutional right to allow individuals to cite their religious beliefs as grounds to refuse to participate in same-sex wedding ceremonies, or is such refusals grounds for discrimination allegations?
So when Craig and Mullins walked into a Colorado Bakery, for a wedding cake, to celebrate their recent Massachusetts marriage, Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Bakery refused, based on his religious beliefs towards same-sex unions. Phillips argues that he has no problem serving gay people, but added that making a wedding cake for a same-sex wedding would violate his Christian beliefs, according to The Huffington Post.
The case went to court in December 2013 after Craig and Mullins filed their complaint with Colorado's Civil Rights Commission, alleging discrimination. The judge for the commission ruled that Phillips did discriminate against the couple and ordered him to change his store policy against making cakes for gay weddings or face fines. Phillips appealed the ruling and on Thursday, the Colorado Court of Appeals said that the original court ruling stands.
The Alliance Defending Freedom, which is representing Philips, is considering an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. "The court is wrong to deny Jack his fundamental freedoms. We will discuss further legal options," the ADF claimed in a public statement, according to The Christian Broadcasting Network.
"Today is a proud day for equality and for upholding the law," the attorney who argued Craig's case said in a statement issued on Thursday, according to Denver Channel ABC News. "In America, no one should be turned away from a shop or restaurant because of who they are or who they love."
