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A huge number of lawsuits over LGBT rights are finding their way through the courts. Experts expect the lawsuit to continue no matter what decision the Supreme Court makes next week. The case involves a baker from Colorado who declines making wedding cakes for gay couples.

The Baker Case

Depending on the outcome of baker Jack Philips’ case, we could see how prepared the Justices are to make exceptions to anti-discrimination laws. This is something that the court would not do in the areas of sex and race.

Based on the arguments in December, the result was hard to predict. But no matter what decision the Justices make, it won’t be their last decision on the topic.

The Trump administration is an ally for religious conservatives. This allowed having more limiting views of LGTB rights. Also, it allowed intervening in a few cases, including Philips’.

Services Oppose Same-Sex Marriage

Shannon Minter is the legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. She said that there are many significant cases that she expects the court to hear. She added that those cases are going to shape the legal landscape in the future.

Minter expects many of the legal discussions to be over wedding services. These cases are similar to the Philips’ case. Graphic artists, florists, and video producers are some of the business owners who deny working for same-sex couples because of their religion. They say that they don’t want to be a part of same-sex weddings.

Administration Difference

The Obama administration supported LGBT discrimination claims as sex discrimination. But Trump’s administration has changed the course. For example, in the New York case, Trump’s administration filed a case where they argue that Title VII wasn’t intended to provide protection for gay workers. The administration also withdrew the guidance to educators to consider claims of harassment from transgender students as sex discrimination.

Questions from the American People:

• Should companies have the right to deny service to anyone?
• Should the court force a business to aid in a practice that goes against their religion?
• Would forcing a business to accept gay customers be the same as instituting a national, humanistic religion?