Colorado has agreed to pay over $1.5 million to cover legal fees for graphic designer Lorie Smith, who successfully challenged the state’s anti-discrimination law at the U.S. Supreme Court. The settlement comes months after the court ruled in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis that Colorado violated Smith’s First Amendment rights by attempting to compel her to design wedding websites for same-sex couples against her religious beliefs.
Smith, represented by the religious liberty law firm Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), expressed gratitude for the ruling, saying, “I’m free to create art consistent with my beliefs without fear of Colorado punishing me anymore.” ADF President Kristen Waggoner called the payout a necessary consequence of Colorado’s actions.
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision in June 2023, authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch, stated that the state sought to compel speech in violation of Smith’s constitutional rights. The ruling was criticized by the court’s liberal justices, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor arguing it gave businesses the right to refuse service to protected groups.
Smith emphasized her case was about compelled speech, not discrimination, and highlighted her willingness to work with clients regardless of identity. The case drew parallels to the 2018 Masterpiece Cakeshop ruling, where the court sided with another Colorado business owner in a similar dispute.
Critics have accused Colorado of targeting religious individuals, citing comments from officials that Smith’s attorneys argued demonstrated hostility toward faith-based beliefs.
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