In a recent legal battle, a Colorado baker who gained a partial victory in the U.S. Supreme Court after refusing to make a gay couple’s wedding cake due to his Christian faith, has lost an appeal in his latest legal fight, involving his rejection of a request for a birthday cake celebrating a gender transition.
The Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that the cake requested by Autumn Scardina from Jack Phillips and Masterpiece Cakeshop, which was to be pink with blue frosting, is not a form of speech. The court also found that the state law that makes it illegal to refuse to provide services to people based on protected characteristics like race, religion or sexual orientation does not violate business owners’ right to practice or express their religion.
Phillips, who is represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, maintains that the cakes he creates are a form of speech and plans to appeal the decision.