Colorado baker who refused to make a cake for a gay couple wants the U.S. Supreme Court to hear his case

Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, became the center of controversy when he refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple in 2012.
1 min. read

Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, became the center of controversy when he refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple in 2012.

Now, he wants the U.S. Supreme Court to hear his case.

Phillips' attorneys filed the petition on Friday, the Denver Post reports. They are arguing that Phillips, or anyone else, should not be forced to support something that is against his religious beliefs.

A judge ruled in December 2013 that Phillips could not discriminate against customers based on his religious beliefs. In August 2015, an appeals court also decided against Phillips.

The Colorado Supreme Court decided not to hear the case last month.

Mark Silverstein, the legal director for American Civil Liberties Unit of Colorado, told the Post, “As we’ve argued and the courts have consistently and correctly ruled in this case, everyone has a right to their religious beliefs. But business owners cannot rely on those beliefs as an excuse to discriminate against prospective customers.”

Recent Stories