Note about Colorado baker's case

Greetings to all,

 Here is a note about the Colorado baker's case from president and CEO Marie Alford-Harkey  of The Religious Institute:

Dear Nancy, This morning, the Supreme Court released a decision in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case. The good news is that the court did not change the longstanding principle that businesses open to the public should be open to all. The court did reverse an earlier ruling that Masterpiece Cakeshop unlawfully discriminated by refusing to serve a same-sex couple seeking a wedding cake, but it made this decision because of concerns unique to this case. The court did not grant businesses a Constitutional right to discriminate. I want to thank you for all of the ways you’ve been involved in this case: from filing an amicus brief to the court to observing the National Weekend of Prayer to working every day to further LGBTQ justice in your faith communities and in society. I also want to let you know that we are going to continue to work to ensure that religious beliefs are not used to justify discrimination against anyone. As I said in the Religious Institute’s full statement on the decision, “While the Court’s decision does not create a new license to discriminate, it also does not address the discrimination that millions of Americans still face. The majority of LGBTQ Americans live in states that don’t have explicit non-discrimination protections in employment, housing, and public businesses. That’s why the Religious Institute is part of a growing chorus of people of faith, religious leaders, and civil rights advocates calling on Congress to pass the Equality Act, a bill that would protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in all 50 states. Our faith traditions call us to promote justice for LGBTQ people in all areas of religious and public life. Until equal opportunity is the norm and the law in all 50 states, our struggle continues.” Click here to read our full statement on the decision. Here are a few immediate ways for you to be involved in the faith-rooted movement for LGBTQ justice in light of today's decision: TODAY: Attend (or plan) a Decision Day event in your local area. TOMORROW: Join the Religious Institute, Faith in Public Life, and the ACLU for a Rapid-Response Briefing on the Masterpiece decision tomorrow at 2pm ET. Register here. THIS WEEKEND: Reflect on the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision in your congregation’s service. We have prayers, a responsive reading, and religious education lesson plans for your adaptation. For years, we’ve been building this movement of people of faith advocating for policies that uphold the dignity and worth of LGBTQ people. Today’s decision reminds us that our work remains as important as ever.

In faith, Rev. Marie Alford-Harkey President and CEO