Washington D.C. – Following today’s Supreme Court ruling in 303 Creative v Elenis, People For the American Way President Svante Myrick released the following statement:

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court is an enormous step backward for equality. This is the latest step in an ongoing effort by the Far Right to erode progress and create a constitutional right to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people and beyond. Courts have long held that business owners’ religious beliefs are not grounds to discriminate, until now. Today’s decision turns that time-tested principle upside-down. In fact, as Justice Sotomayor pointed out in dissent, this ruling could allow a website designer to deny services to an interracial couple as well.

When public businesses are allowed to deny services based on discrimination, it opens the floodgates for denials of service and worse discrimination against marginalized people. Today’s decision invites anti-equality activists to file more lawsuits concerning public accommodations discrimination, housing discrimination, employment discrimination, and more. Our rights will be at risk if those cases are heard by far-right lower court judges looking for excuses to further weaken anti-discrimination laws. We must make sure President Biden fills every federal judicial vacancy with fair-minded judges who understand that our courts should work for everyone to prevent further erosion of our fundamental rights.”

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About People For the American Way 

People For the American Way, a national progressive advocacy organization, inspires and mobilizes community and cultural leaders to advance Truth, Justice and the American Way. We convene courageous Americans, produce compelling media and organize campaigns to defend our democracy from authoritarian threats and advance America’s promise that everyone will enjoy freedom, safety and a vote that counts. Learn more: http://www.pfaw.org