Lorie Smith is a web designer based in Colorado. She happily serves all customers but declines to express certain messages that violate her religious beliefs.
Government officials say that Lorie is violating Colorado's Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA), the same law that was used to punish cake artist and bakery owner Jack Phillips when he declined to create a custom cake for a same-sex wedding.
Lorie filed a lawsuit in federal court, asking that the court protect her constitutional rights. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit declined to do so and ordered Lorie to create custom graphics and websites that violate her religious convictions. She's now asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear her case.
Alliance Defending Freedom is representing Lorie. ADF General Counsel Kristen Waggoner said the government needs a lesson on constitutional rights. "This case involves quintessential free speech and artistic freedom, which the 10th Circuit astonishingly and dangerously cast aside here," Waggoner said. "The government shouldn't weaponize the law to force a web designer to speak messages that violate her beliefs."