Equality California Releases Statement on the Masterpiece Cakeshop Supreme Court Case

Los Angeles - December 5, 2017 – In light of today's oral arguments on the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission Supreme Court case, Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur issued the following statement:

"This case has never been simply about cake – it is about discrimination in this country. If we allow businesses to pick and choose who they serve based on who an individual loves or how they identify, then we as a country relegate LGBTQ people to second class citizenship. The use of so-called religious exemptions is part of the strategy anti-LGBTQ forces use to gut hard-fought LGBTQ civil rights protections where they exist. The Supreme Court's decision will have far reaching consequences for more than the LGBTQ community, and we urge the court to continue to stand for freedom and justice for all."

The Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission Supreme Court case originated in 2012 when David Mullens and Charlie Craig were denied service at Masterpiece Cakeshop because they are a same-sex couple. The Colorado Civil Rights Commission ruled that the bakery had violated Colorado law by refusing service to Mullins and Craig on the basis of their sexual orientation, and the bakery then appealed and asked for a review of the state ruling by the Supreme Court.

On October 31, 2017 Equality California signed onto an amicus (friend-of-the-court) brief with Lambda Legal to urge the court to prevent further discrimination against the LGBTQ community. More information on the brief can be found here.

Equality California is the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org