October Term 2017 · Docket 16-111
Must a baker create a cake for a same-sex wedding?
A baker claims religious freedom bars him from making a wedding cake. The state says anti-discrimination law requires him to serve all customers.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
The owner's counsel argued the state cannot compel speech. They stated the owner is a professional artist with free exercise rights.
The state's counsel argued Colorado extended protections to LGBTQ people. They noted the bakery is open to the public and subject to state law.
Justice Roberts questioned whether requiring a cake with a pre-existing message constitutes compelled association.
Justice Sotomayor questioned the scope of the refusal regarding standard items sold to the public.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 37-49 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 37-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 100, lines 47-17 — Transcript, file page 100, lines 47-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 29-49 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 29-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 45-51 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 45-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 39-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-15 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 29-39 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 29-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 43-39 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 43-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 45-1
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on a bakery owner who refused to create a custom cake for a same-sex wedding. The state civil rights commission found this action violated anti-discrimination laws. The owner argues this requirement forces him to express a message he opposes. The state argues the law protects customers from discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 100, lines 47-17 — Transcript, file page 100, lines 47-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 29-49 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 29-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 39-37
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 5, 2017.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 35-41
What each side wants
The bakery owner wants the court to strike down the commission's order. He seeks a ruling that allows him to refuse service based on religious beliefs.
The state commission wants the court to uphold the anti-discrimination finding. It seeks to enforce the law requiring businesses to serve all customers equally.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 100, lines 47-17 — Transcript, file page 100, lines 47-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 29-49 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 29-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 39-37
What each side says
The owner argues the First Amendment prohibits the government from forcing him to create expressive art. He claims making the cake violates his religious convictions about marriage.
The state argues the anti-discrimination law protects customers from bias. It asserts the owner must serve all shoppers regardless of their sexual orientation or the event type.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 100, lines 47-17 — Transcript, file page 100, lines 47-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 29-49 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 29-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 39-37
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked if the owner refused to sell standard cupcakes to same-sex couples.
Justice Ginsburg asked if the owner was required to write a specific message on the cake.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 37-49 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 37-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 45-51 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 45-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-15 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 29-39 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 29-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 43-39 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 43-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 45-1
Why it matters
This case defines the boundary between religious freedom and anti-discrimination law. It determines whether businesses can refuse service based on the customer's identity. The outcome shapes how states enforce civil rights protections for LGBTQ individuals. It also clarifies the scope of free speech rights for commercial artists.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 100, lines 47-17 — Transcript, file page 100, lines 47-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 29-49 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 29-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 39-37
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 37-49 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 37-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 45-51 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 45-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-15 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 43-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 29-39 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 29-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 43-39 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 43-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 45-1
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 100, lines 47-17 — Transcript, file page 100, lines 47-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 29-49 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 29-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 39-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 100, lines 47-17 — Transcript, file page 100, lines 47-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 29-49 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 29-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 39-37
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.