US Supreme Court backs Colorado baker’s gay wedding cake snub

The US Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a baker in Colorado who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple.

The Colorado state court had found that baker Jack Phillips’ decision to turn away David Mullins and Charlie Craig in 2012 was unlawful discrimination.

But the Supreme Court ruled on Monday that that decision had violated Mr Phillips’ rights, in a 7-2 vote.

The conservative Christian cited his religious beliefs in refusing service.

Gay rights groups feared a ruling against the couple could set a precedent for treating gay marriages differently to heterosexual unions.

But the Supreme Court’s verdict instead focuses specifically on Mr Phillips’ case.

The decision does not state that florists, photographers, or other services can now refuse to work with gay couples.

The ruling comes three years after the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage the law of the land in its landmark 2015 decision, Obergefell v Hodges.

BBC