Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed his disapproval of the Supreme Court’s Friday decision to protect web designer Lorie Smith’s free speech rights. He argued during an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” the ruling is a part of a “agenda” to “chip away” at the rights of the LGBT community.
But the court’s decision to protect Smith’s rights is sound. Justice Neil Gorsuch’s majority opinion unanimously found if the court were to rule otherwise, the government would then have the power to force individuals to violate their religious beliefs.
The faith-driven decision revolved around Smith’s religious belief that marriage should only be between a man and a woman – a belief Smith hoped to act upon. Smith created a website to provide wedding services to all couples, but only with the understanding her participation in ceremonies be limited to those between a male-female couple.
Unfortunately, Smith’s understanding ran afoul of Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) and the state proposed a fine of $100,000 be issued if Smith were to continue her policy. Smith decided to challenge the act in court and was represented by Alliance Defending Freedom.
Ultimately, the Supreme Court reinforced religious liberty was still protected under the law when it ruled 6-3 in Smith’s favor Friday. However, Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, with Sotomayor writing Smith’s view is “profoundly wrong” and could lead to the “reactionary exclusion” of LGBTQ people.
Yet it is clear the decision was meant to protect these rights, and not be utilized as a tool to “claw back” at them. The court’s decision puts into place an important recognition of religious exercise and free speech that can serve as a protective wall for all citizens.
The opinion is not a farce or opportunistic maneuver by the Republican state legislatures as Buttigieg would like us to believe. It is a reminder to all Americans freedom of religion and speech are only secure when each group is allowed to exercise its beliefs without interference.