Supreme Court to review right of private parties to deny services to same-sex couples

The U.S. Supreme Court today agreed to hear a wedding services case involving Colorado bakery owner Jack Phillips who refused to provide a cake for a same-sex wedding on grounds of religious conviction. Several similar cases involving t-shirt printers, florists, and photographers have previously made national headlines but the petitionerIn some states or types of cases, the person filing a lawsuit or action in a court. Also, the person who appeals the judgment of a lower court. in Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission has raised two constitutional bases – free speech and free exerciseThe ability to practice one's religion without hindrance as expressed in the 1st Amendment. Can be limited depending on how it affects other people. of religion – for exemption from anti-discrimination statutes.

The issue1. The disputed point between parties in a lawsuit; 2. To send out officially, as in a court issuing an order. the Court will be considering is:

Whether applying Colorado’s public accommodations law to compel Phillips to create expression that violates his sincerely held religious beliefs about marriage violates the Free Speech or Free Exercise Clauses of the First AmendmentThis Amendment prohibits the government from making laws that establish religion or prohibit free exercise of religion, infringe the freedom of speech, infringe the freedom of the press, limit the right to assemble peaceably, or limit the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances..

The Court calendar and briefs are available on SCOTUSBlog.com.  This will likely be the most-watched case in the term beginning in October 2017.