Justices to Hear Case on Religious Objections to Same-Sex Marriage<br />In response, the couple’s lawyer wrote that “it is no answer to say<br />that Mullins and Craig could shop somewhere else for their wedding cake, just as it was no answer in 1966 to say that African-American customers could eat at another restaurant.”<br />In a second development concerning gay and lesbian couples, the Supreme Court reaffirmed on Monday its 2015 decision recognizing a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, ruling<br />that states may not treat married same-sex couples differently from others in issuing birth certificates.<br />In a Supreme Court brief, Mr. Phillips’s lawyers said “he is happy to create other items for gay and lesbian clients.”<br />But his faith requires him, they said, “to use his artistic talents to promote only messages that align with his religious beliefs.”<br />“Thus,” the brief said, “he declines lucrative business by not creating goods<br />that contain alcohol or cakes celebrating Halloween and other messages his faith prohibits, such as racism, atheism, and any marriage not between one man and one woman.”<br />The brief said Mr. Mullins and Mr. Craig could have bought a cake from another baker<br />and in fact “easily obtained a free wedding cake with a rainbow design from another bakery.”<br />What you need to know to start your day, delivered to your inbox Monday through Friday.
