Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

The Supreme Court’s decision in the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case does not codify discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people, but it does normalize it. Opponents of gender equality will see this ruling as a green light for denying same-sex couples their constitutional rights, and an endorsement of the Trump Administration’s discriminatory policies.

This issue will continue to be litigated in the courts and debated by voters and lawmakers. We will continue to press for legal remedies to policies that deny fundamental rights to persons who need and deserve absolute and unchallenged equality.

When the Supreme Court rules to take away human rights, rather than expand them, it only emboldens and encourages those who would perpetuate hate speech and discrimination. This is why since its introduction, NOW has supported the Equality Act, which is now before Congress and would protect LGBTQIA+ people and everyone facing discrimination simply because of who they are. Today’s ruling makes it clear: we need equality, NOW.

Contact:

Dee Donavanik, press@now.org, 951-547-1241