Jack Phillips Refuses Cake Order from Transgender Woman
Colorado Supreme Court Hears Discrimination Case Involving Transgender Cake Request
According to the article of Advocate, the Colorado Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday in a new case against Jack Phillips and Masterpiece Cakeshop. This case started when Phillips refused to bake a cake for Autumn Scardina, a transgender woman celebrating her birthday and gender transition. Scardina, who is also a lawyer, asked for a pink cake with blue frosting to show her journey. The bakery agreed at first but changed their mind when they learned the cake’s meaning. Scardina then filed a complaint, saying Phillips broke Colorado’s anti-discrimination law.
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Jack Phillips in Court Again Over Cake Refusal for Transgender Woman
Phillips has faced similar legal issues before. He was taken to court by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission for refusing to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, a case he won at the U.S. Supreme Court. In this new case, Scardina says Phillips’ refusal to make her cake was unfair. She points out that Phillips would have made the same cake for other customers. Scardina believes this case is about fair treatment, not freedom of speech. Phillips argues that only the commission, not Scardina, can file a discrimination complaint against him. He also says that the ruling goes against his rights to free speech and expression. Phillips thinks the case should be over because he tried to pay a settlement, which the court and Scardina rejected without an admission of guilt. As the Colorado Supreme Court thinks about this case, it shows the ongoing conflict between anti-discrimination laws and claims of religious freedom and free speech.