As the Masterpiece Cakeshop case gets underway at the US Supreme Court, many people are making their voices heard.
Charlie Craig and David Mullins, a married gay couple, are fighting for their right not to face discrimination at public businesses.
Many organizations, politicians, and more are throwing their support behind them, fighting back against baker Jack Phillips’ argument of religious freedom.
Open to All
On the steps of the Supreme Court today, there was a rally against discrimination. It adopted the slogan Open to All, urging businesses not to discriminate against patrons.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) was there in full force.
.@HRC is rallying with partners at #SCOTUS today because #MasterpieceCakeshop is one of the most significant Supreme Court cases of the year & could have sweeping consequences for every single #LGBTQ American & millions of others. #OpenToAll pic.twitter.com/YBdzgViCrO
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) December 5, 2017
‘At its core, this case is a cynical effort to manipulate the First Amendment in order to provide a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people and our families,’ HRC President Chad Griffin said about the case.
The ACLU was also there supporting Craig and Mullins. The couple received big cheers on the steps.
Dave and Charlie to massive cheers. They were turned away from a Colorado bakery for being a same-sex couple. They are at the Supreme Court because the Constitution protects against discrimination just like this. #OpenToAll pic.twitter.com/nXqUbipZjd
— ACLU (@ACLU) December 5, 2017
Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who also spoke out against the trans military ban, was there showing her support.
US Senator Tammy Duckworth stands with love, equality & justice at #SCOTUS #OpenToAll protest! pic.twitter.com/cFPSYCXRd7
— sarahmassey (@sarahmassey) December 5, 2017
Victoria Rodríguez-Roldán, from the National LGBTQ Task Force said the plaintiffs are ‘using God’s name, in vain, as an excuse to perpetuate bigotry and to oppress their fellow human beings’.
At #SupremeCourt rally Victoria Rodríguez-Roldán just slammed the plaintiffs and the hate group representing them — @AllianceDefends — for “using God's name, in vain, as an excuse to perpetuate bigotry and to oppress their fellow human beings. #OpenToAll pic.twitter.com/r82TZapKkC
— Alex Morash (@AlexMorash) December 5, 2017
Our staff is at the Supreme Court this morning to ensure #SCOTUS doesn't grant #MasterpieceCakeshop and other businesses a #LicenseToDiscriminate pic.twitter.com/aUdpiUwqdp
— The Task Force #BeYou (@TheTaskForce) December 5, 2017
Trump supports the baker
At the start of September, the Trump administration took Phillips’ side.
They are doubling down on this stance, and unsurprisingly upsetting many advocacy groups.
GLAAD tweeted out a video of White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders defending this stance.
.@PressSec says that @realDonaldTrump's support of "religious liberty" would include a baker putting a sign in the window saying, "We don't bake cakes for gay weddings" #MasterpieceCakeshop pic.twitter.com/BES376f2V8
— GLAAD (@glaad) December 5, 2017
In answering a question about Trump’s support for potential window signs reading ‘we don’t bake cakes for gay weddings’, Sanders simply replied the president supports ‘religious liberty’. At the end she added: ‘I believe that would include that.’
Then GLAAD asked: ‘Tell us again how this isn’t about discrimination, @AllianceDefends?’
Now, tell us again how this isn't about discrimination @AllianceDefends?
— GLAAD (@glaad) December 5, 2017
Alliance Defending Freedom is a religious liberty group representing Masterpiece.
It’s about more than cake
Another stance people supporting anti-discrimination laws are taking is that this case is about far more than cake.
It is about people’s rights not to face discrimination in their everyday lives.
Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI), who serves as co-chair of the LGBT Equality Caucas, tweeted:
Today's #SupremeCourt case is about more than a wedding cake: it is about dignity and equality. Every American deserves the right to live their life without facing discrimination because of who they are or who they love.
— Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) December 5, 2017
He added in a longer statement: ‘When Charlie and Dave wanted a cake for their wedding, they wanted to experience what millions of Americans get to have every year – the opportunity to celebrate love and share a special moment with family and friends. Unfortunately, they were denied that opportunity and experienced the same discrimination many of us in the LGBTQ community know all too well.’
Representative Dan Kildee (D-MI) echoed these sentiments.
The #MasterpieceCakeshop case is about more than a cake. It is about whether or not we are going to give businesses a #LicenseToDiscriminate.
Proud to stand with @ACLU to say that businesses should be #OpenToAll. pic.twitter.com/uL1Z6Bwk4c
— Rep. Dan Kildee (@RepDanKildee) December 5, 2017
Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) added his support as well.
Joining .@ACLU & .@HRC today to speak up for civil & human rights against discrimination in the #MasterpieceCakeshop case before #SCOTUS. We can’t go back to the days when businesses displayed signs in their windows saying: “Your kind not served here.”
— Rep. Hank Johnson (@RepHankJohnson) December 5, 2017
NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund warned of the far reaches this case could have.
#Masterpiece is about more than cake. The result of this case could give businesses the ability to legally discriminate against LGBT people, people of color, women, religious minorities, and people with disabilities. https://t.co/G3UvO9usgx
— Legal Defense Fund (@NAACP_LDF) December 2, 2017
Lesbian comedian Dana Goldberg drew a link to NFL players kneeling during the anthem.
The same people who think the Supreme Court case today is about a cake, are the same people who think the NFL’s peaceful protest is about a flag.
— Dana Goldberg (@DGComedy) December 5, 2017
Both these cases go far beyond a cake or flag.
Others brought Roy Moore into the conversation.
Good luck arguing morality and biblical dogma ever again, Republicans. By endorsing Roy Moore, Trump just erased decades of "family values" high ground. Don't wanna bake a cake for a gay wedding? You supported a child molester for Senate — you're done.
— Bob Cesca (@bobcesca_go) November 21, 2017
However, while this isn’t about cake, Samantha Bee posted the cake the Full Frontal team ordered and it’s pretty great.
Hey, Supreme Court, we got our own cake today! pic.twitter.com/zR767DoOo0
— Full Frontal (@FullFrontalSamB) December 5, 2017
See also
Anthony Bourdain and other chefs support gay couple in bakery discrimination case