Colorado agrees to pay $1.5 million in legal fees to Christian web designer Lorie Smith after losing a Supreme Court case over free speech rights.
At a Glance
- The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of Lorie Smith, allowing businesses to refuse services for same-sex weddings based on free speech rights
- Colorado will pay over $1.5 million in legal fees to Smith after losing the case
- The ruling is seen as a landmark victory for religious freedom and free speech
- Smith challenged Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Act, arguing it would force her to violate her beliefs
- The case highlights ongoing legal battles faced by business owners with religious convictions
Supreme Court Upholds Religious Freedom and Free Speech
In a significant victory for religious liberty and free speech, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Lorie Smith, a Christian web designer from Colorado. The 6-3 decision allows businesses to refuse services for same-sex weddings based on their constitutional right to free speech. As a result of losing the case, Colorado has agreed to pay over $1.5 million in legal fees to Smith, marking a substantial financial consequence for the state’s attempt to enforce its anti-discrimination law.
The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a conservative law firm that supported Smith’s case, hailed the ruling as a landmark victory for free speech. The decision underscores the importance of protecting individuals’ right to express their beliefs without government interference, even when those beliefs may be unpopular or controversial.
Major victory for free speech and religious liberty today – proud of my wife Erin, who litigated this case https://t.co/ZKl6Y0zUOe
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) June 30, 2023
Religious Convictions vs. Anti-Discrimination Laws
At the core of this legal battle was Smith’s challenge to the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. She argued that the law would force her to violate her belief in traditional marriage by compelling her to create websites for same-sex weddings. Smith’s stance reflects a growing tension between religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws across the nation.
“Billions of people around the world believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman and that men and women are biologically distinct. No government has the right to silence individuals for expressing these ideas or to punish those who decline to express different views,” stated Waggoner.
Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the majority, emphasized that public accommodations laws must comply with constitutional demands and protect free speech. This ruling builds on previous cases, such as the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision, establishing significant precedent for religious liberties and the rights of individuals in creative professions.
Implications and Reactions
The decision has sparked intense debate about the balance between religious freedom and civil rights protections. Supporters of the ruling see it as a necessary safeguard for individuals’ conscience rights, while critics argue it could open the door to discrimination against protected classes.
“As the Supreme Court said, I’m free to create art consistent with my beliefs without fear of Colorado punishing me anymore. This is a win not just for me but for all Americans—for those who share my beliefs and for those who hold different views. I love people and work with everyone, including those who identify as LGBT. For me, it’s always about what message is requested, never the person making the request. I hope that everyone will celebrate the court’s decision upholding this right for each of us to speak freely,” Lorie Smith said.
The substantial legal fees Colorado must now pay serve as a stark reminder of the costs associated with pursuing policies that infringe on constitutional rights. This outcome may give pause to other states considering similar laws, potentially influencing future legislation and enforcement practices across the country.
