October Term 2022 · Docket 21-476
Does a website designer have a First Amendment right to refuse same-sex clients?
A website designer claims a state law forces her to create messages she finds offensive. The state argues the law targets discrimination, not speech.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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
Smith's lawyer argued the law forces her to speak against her conscience.
The state's lawyer argued the law targets discrimination, not expression.
Justice Sotomayor questioned the limit of refusing service to other groups.
Justice Kagan noted the website content might not change based on the client.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 53-33 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 53-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 110, lines 45-23 — Transcript, file page 110, lines 45-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 25-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 37-15 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 37-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 43-53 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 43-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 7-23 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 7-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 151, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 151, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 33-47 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 33-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 15-37 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 15-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 53-31 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 53-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 51-33 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 51-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-13 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-1 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-1
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Lorie Smith runs a website design business. She claims Colorado law forces her to create messages that violate her conscience. The state argues the law targets discrimination, not speech. The Court must decide if the law targets expression.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 110, lines 45-23 — Transcript, file page 110, lines 45-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 151, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 151, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 33-39
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 5, 2022.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 39-43
What each side wants
Smith wants the Court to strike down the state law as applied to her.
The state wants the Court to uphold the law as a valid anti-discrimination measure.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 110, lines 45-23 — Transcript, file page 110, lines 45-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 151, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 151, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 33-39
What each side says
Smith argues the law targets her expression by forcing her to create specific messages.
The state argues the law targets discriminatory conduct, not the content of speech.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 110, lines 45-23 — Transcript, file page 110, lines 45-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 151, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 151, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 33-39
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked where the line lies for refusing other groups.
Justice Kagan asked if the website content actually changes based on the client.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 53-33 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 53-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 25-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 37-15 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 37-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 43-53 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 43-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 7-23 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 7-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 33-47 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 33-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 15-37 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 15-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 53-31 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 53-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 51-33 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 51-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-13 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-1 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-1
Why it matters
This case defines the boundary between free speech and anti-discrimination law. It determines whether businesses can refuse service based on the message they must create. The outcome affects how states enforce equal access laws for all citizens.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 110, lines 45-23 — Transcript, file page 110, lines 45-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 151, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 151, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 33-39
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 27-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 53-33 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 53-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 25-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 37-15 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 37-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 43-53 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 43-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 7-23 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 7-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 33-47 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 33-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 15-37 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 15-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 53-31 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 53-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 51-33 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 51-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 53-13 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 53-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-1 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-1
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 110, lines 45-23 — Transcript, file page 110, lines 45-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 151, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 151, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 110, lines 45-23 — Transcript, file page 110, lines 45-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 151, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 151, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 33-39
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.