'Masterpiece Cakeshop' Owner Sues Over Trans Customer

‘Masterpiece Cakeshop’ owner Jack Phillips whom you will remember won his appeal to the US Supreme Court over his refusal to make a wedding cake for a gay couple, is now launching another legal challenge by suing the state of Colorado for refusing to serve a Trans woman’s cake order.

Jack Phillips was ordered by Colorado‘ Civil Rights Commission into mediation with the trans whom he chose not to serve based on his religious beliefs. Phillips has filed a new lawsuit against Colorado officials in federal court yesterday claiming that the state is once again violating his rights to freedom of speech and religion.

The lawsuit highlights Jack Phillips’ narrow US Supreme Court victory back in June that states that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission displayed anti-religious attitudes toward Masterpiece Cakeshop, violating the owners rights in a case involving Phillips refusal to bake a cake for a gay couple engaged to be married.

The new case centers on Autumn Scardina, a transgender woman customer who ordered a cake from Phillips’ Masterpiece Cakeshop back in June of 2017. The order was for a pink interior and blue exterior cake to celebrate the anniversary of Scardina’s coming out as a transgender woman.

Phillips refused to take the order from Autumn Scardina saying…“it would have celebrated messages contrary to his religious belief that sex ― the status of being male or female ― is given by God, is biologically determined,” said Phillips.

Scardina filed a complaint with the state Civil Rights Commission immediately claiming discrimination based on her sexual orientation. Once again the Colorado Civil Rights Commission found probable cause that Jack Phillips violated an anti-discrimination law that prohibits businesses from refusing service based on marital status, race, sex and sexual orientation. Both parties were ordered into mediation.

Phillips argues in his new lawsuit against Colorado officials where he includes in the suit, Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) and several Civil Rights Commission members, that the US Supreme Court ruling allows him to discriminate against customers for his religious beliefs. The court, however, did not address whether religious objectors to same-sex relationships can allow anti-LGBTQ citizens from sheelding themselves from the Colorado anti-discrimination law.

A Anti-Violence Project spokesperson weighed in on the story by saying … “Denial of services to LGBTQ community members fuels disrespect and violence.”

However the attorney the anti-LGBTQ hate group ‘Alliance Defending Freedom’ Kristen Waggoner said…“The state of Colorado is ignoring the message of the U.S. Supreme Court by continuing to single out Jack for punishment and to exhibit hostility toward his religious beliefs,” said Waggoner who not only represented Phillips in the first case but is now representing Phillips in this one as well.

Review Case 118-cv-02074 Document 1 Filed 08-14-18 USDC Colorado

Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer