First Amendment—Applicability to Public Accommodations Laws

Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, No. 16-111

Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Act prohibits businesses that sell goods to the public from discriminating based on sexual orientation. Today, the Supreme Court granted certiorari to decide whether application of that act to a Christian baker who refused to make a cake for a same-sex couple’s wedding violates the Free Speech or Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. This case has been closely watched and will be expected to generate considerable attention when it is argued and decided next Term.