More than 100 people showed up to a Denver rally to support the LGBTQ community after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple.
That gay couple, Charlie Craig and David Mullins, were joined outside Colorado’s Capitol Monday evening by activists, faith leaders, and prominent Democratic politicians, including Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO).
Mullins and Craig stopped into Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, CO, in 2012 hoping to order a cake for their upcoming wedding. But the baker, Jack Phillips, refused their request, saying he didn’t serve gay people due to his religious beliefs.
Phillips’ refusal was found to be in violation of state anti-discrimination laws by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. But the case eventually rose to the U.S. Supreme Court, which decided in Phillips’ favor Monday.
Despite the 7-2 ruling against the couple, several speakers took a reassuring tone when addressing the crowd, pointing to the narrow ruling in the case.
Rather than addressing broader legal tensions between religious liberty and LGBTQ rights, the court based its decision on the Colorado Civil Rights Commission’s handling of the case.
The court determined that the commission was biased against religion and not sufficiently fair toward Phillips.
But the court did not diminish the state’s ability, through legislation, to protect a person’s right to enter any public space and buy a product or service, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, or race. The court also clarified that this case would not have a major effect on future decisions.
Hickenlooper also offered a message of encouragement to those who continue to face bias and bigotry.
But still, progressives are concerned that conservatives will count the decision as a win and use it to bolster efforts to allow discrimination based on religious beliefs.
Echoing Becker’s concerns, Daniel Ramos of the LGBTQ advocacy organization One Colorado stressed the need to elect pro-equality state leaders.
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