303 Creative LLC v. Elenis
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis.
The Supreme Court addressed whether Colorado could compel Lorie Smith, a website designer, to create wedding websites that conflict with her beliefs under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. The Court focused on the First Amendment's protection of free speech, determining that compelling Smith to create such websites would violate her rights. The decision highlights the tension between anti-discrimination laws and free speech protections.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis.
The Court held that the First Amendment prohibits Colorado from forcing a website designer to create expressive designs speaking messages with which the designer disagrees.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Free Speech is relevant to 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis
The case primarily revolves around whether Colorado can compel a website designer to create expressive content that conflicts with her beliefs, which is a core issue of free speech under the First Amendment.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The First Amendment prohibits Colorado from forcing a website designer to create expressive designs speaking messages with which the designer disagrees.
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Why Equal Protection is relevant to 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis
The case involves the application of Colorado's Anti-Discrimination Act, which aims to ensure equal access to services, implicating equal protection principles.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)CADA prohibits all 'public accommodations' from denying 'the full and equal enjoyment' of its goods and services to any customer based on his race, creed, disability, sexual orientation, or other statutorily enumerated trait.
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Why Free Exercise of Religion is relevant to 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis
The case touches on the designer's religious beliefs regarding marriage, which connects to the free exercise of religion, although the primary focus is on free speech.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Ms. Smith's belief that marriage is a union between one man and one woman is a sincerely held conviction.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis that support the summary and concepts above.
The First Amendment prohibits Colorado from forcing a website designer to create expressive designs speaking messages with which the designer disagrees.
Ms. Smith seeks to engage in protected First Amendment speech; Colorado seeks to compel speech she does not wish to provide.
The First Amendment's protections belong to all, not just to speakers whose motives the government finds worthy.
