The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Monday for 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis and consider whether the state of Colorado can compel a web designer to create messages that violate her religious beliefs. The case is an opportunity for the court to expand its decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission and make clear that people of all religions and backgrounds have the right to live in accordance with their convictions without fear of retaliation.
The facts in 303 Creative resemble those in Masterpiece Cakeshop, though the central question of the case is different. Like Colorado baker Jack Phillips, graphic designer Lorie Smith is a Christian who wants to run a business in accordance with her religious beliefs. She would like to create custom wedding websites for her clients. But she is unable to do so because of Colorado’s “anti-discrimination” law, which could be used to punish her if she refuses to create websites celebrating same-sex marriages. This same law has been used repeatedly against Phillips, who continues to be in court 10 years later.