National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) Legal Director Shannon Minter issued the following statement in response:
“This week’s Supreme Court decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop
addressed a unique situation specific to the facts in that case. It did
not dilute anti-LGBTQ discrimination protections and in fact reaffirmed
their importance. With regard to race, sex, sexual orientation or any
other protected trait, a business can decide what products it sells—but
not to whom. Today’s Arizona appeals court decision correctly relied
upon Masterpiece Cakeshop to ensure that businesses understand
that they cannot turn people away from the products or services they
provide because of who they are or take actions equivalent to hanging a
‘no gays allowed’ sign in the window.”
