WASHINGTON – June 30, 2023
United States President Joe Biden expressed disappointment today in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, according to the White House.
In a White House Statement, Biden emphasized the importance of combating discrimination and protecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Biden’s statement came during Pride month, a time when millions of Americans come together to celebrate the resilience and contributions of the LGBTQI+ community.
“In America, no person should face discrimination simply because of who they are or who they love,” President Biden asserted. He expressed deep concern regarding the potential implications of the Court’s decision, particularly its potential to foster increased discrimination against LGBTQI+ Americans.
While the ruling specifically addresses expressive original designs, the President emphasized that it could weaken longstanding laws safeguarding all Americans against discrimination in public accommodations, including individuals of different races, disabilities, faiths, and women.
Biden reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to collaborating with federal enforcement agencies to vigorously enforce federal laws that protect individuals from discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. Additionally, the President pledged to work alongside states across the country to counter any attempts to erode civil rights protections that may follow this ruling. The President stressed the need to continue progressing toward full equality for every American.
“When one group’s dignity and equality are threatened, the promise of our democracy is threatened, and we all suffer,” President Biden emphasized. He highlighted the ongoing efforts to advance equal rights for all individuals, underscoring the importance of passing the Equality Act. This legislation would codify civil rights protections for LGBTQI+ Americans into federal law and enhance public accommodations safeguards for all Americans. The President urged Congress to promptly send the Equality Act to his desk for approval.
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Meanwhile, the Guardian is reporting that a key document the Supreme Court used to make it’s decision is likely fake:
https://www.theguardian.com/law/2023/jun/29/supreme-court-lgbtq-document-veracity-colorado
“The suit centers on Lorie Smith, a website designer who does not want to provide her services for gay weddings because of her religious objections.
In 2016, she says, a gay man named Stewart requested her services for help with his upcoming wedding. “We are getting married early next year and would love some design work done for our invites, placenames etc. We might also stretch to a website,” reads a message he apparently sent her through her website.
In court filings, her lawyers produced a copy of the inquiry.
But Stewart, who requested his last name be withheld for privacy, said in an interview with the Guardian that he never sent the message, even though it correctly lists his email address and telephone number. He has also been happily married to a woman for the last 15 years, he said. The news was first reported by the New Republic.”
