{"id":1786,"date":"2018-06-07T13:26:45","date_gmt":"2018-06-07T12:26:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/religion-law-and-the-constitution\/?p=1786"},"modified":"2025-11-26T11:23:09","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T11:23:09","slug":"masterpiece-bakery-gay-marriage-and-human-rights-pandoras-cake-box","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/religion-law-and-the-constitution\/2018\/06\/07\/masterpiece-bakery-gay-marriage-and-human-rights-pandoras-cake-box\/","title":{"rendered":"Masterpiece Bakery, Gay Marriage and Human Rights: Pandora\u2019s Cake-box?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” fullwidth=”on” next_background_color=”#000000″ global_module=”322″][et_pb_fullwidth_menu global_parent=”322″ _builder_version=”3.17.6″ menu_id=”8″ submenu_direction=”downwards” fullwidth_menu=”off” background_layout=”dark” module_class=”main-navigation” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”on” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#1d1d1d”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ specialty_columns=”2″][et_pb_row_inner locked=”off”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=”3.17.6″ featured_placement=”above” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” date_format=”j M Y” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_layout=”light” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The US Supreme Court has just ruled in favour of the Colorado baker who refused to produce a wedding cake for two men. There were many technical aspects to the case, which will keep lawyers (academic and otherwise) wrangling for some time.\u00a0 It certainly should not be assumed though that future disputes with similar facts will necessarily result in the same conclusion. A key factor in this instance was the stance of the Colorado Human Rights Commission, as it was found to have adopted a hostile, rather than neutral, approach towards the baker\u2019s religious beliefs.\u00a0\u00a0 Significantly, in other disputes, the State had permitted businesses to decline orders for cakes which demeaned gay people and gay marriages, and in light of this it was found that equality laws had not been applied in a neutral way with regard to religion and belief.\u00a0 Moreover, another important finding in this particular case was that the baker had been found to be producing an artistic creation, and consequently making an expressive statement which engaged his constitutional right to free speech.<\/p>\n

When fundamental rights of individuals meet in a head-on collision, there is never an easy outcome, but the ruling in this case still raises as many questions as it answers.\u00a0 As we have discussed before on this blog, it is extremely unclear how to draw a meaningful line between artistic expression and provision of a service, and if some commercial enterprises can claim exemptions from anti-discrimination provisions whilst others cannot, people will correctly perceive the legal system to be arbitrary and unfair.\u00a0\u00a0 Why should we protect the conscience of someone running a patisserie, but not a print-shop?\u00a0 Or conversely, can we expect a customer with a protected characteristic to understand why they can complain about discriminatory treatment when doing their weekly food shop, but have no right to object to the same behaviour from their hair-dresser, two doors down from the supermarket?<\/p>\n

The other distinct, but related issue, is whether the outcome of the Colorado case would or should have been any different if another protected characteristic had been involved.\u00a0 What if a baker had claimed that his or her religious beliefs were opposed to inter-racial marriage, and had refused a wedding cake for a couple with different racial identities?\u00a0 Given that previous judicial pronouncements in the US and Canada have expressly drawn the parallel between the struggle for LBGT rights and the civil rights movement in the States, it is unsurprising that this question is arousing strong feelings.\u00a0 For instance, the Washington Post quoted Abraham Hamilton III, general counsel to the American Family Association \u00a0(see link in Related Articles below), who stated as follows:<\/p>\n

\u201cAs an African American man myself, I think to conflate issues concerning marital preferences as something as easily identifiable as skin color is offensive\u201d. Hamilton believes that \u201cthe two are not remotely on the same page\u201d because skin color is a \u201creadily discernible characteristic\u201d, whilst \u201csexual orientation is not.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

This comment is disturbing, as Mr Hamilton appears to be implying that race is \u2018real\u2019 and can be objectively determined, whereas sexuality is a matter of \u2018preference\u2019.\u00a0 Obviously, it must be acknowledged that the American Family Association is a campaign group with a particular agenda, but this statement still reminds us that there are voices suggesting that some protected characteristics are more significant and valid than others. Bearing this in mind, it would be very troubling for a legal system to go down the route of classifying some types of prohibited discrimination as less serious or socially problematic. Furthermore, it is inaccurate to suggest that racial identity is a clear cut matter, which is not open to manipulation or debate.\u00a0 Given that the legal consequences of the \u2018one drop\u2019 rule are still well within living memory in the United States, and also that Native American individuals are currently controversially required to prove their status through blood-typing \u00a0(irrespective of their personal identity, individual experiences or the traditions of their tribe) there is plenty of room for debate about the nature and boundaries of race in contemporary America.\u00a0 This certainly does not <\/em>render laws protecting people from racial discrimination valueless or meaningless, but exactly the same point can be made in relation to social and cultural debates about sexual orientation.<\/p>\n

There may, of course, be convincing reasons to allow businesses some exemptions from general discrimination law when taking orders, as a means of avoiding compromising the conscience of those who own them.\u00a0 However, if such flexibility is to be allowed, it has to be on a rational basis, which can be understood by citizens and seen to be fair.\u00a0 Neither favouring certain types of business, nor prioritising some victims of discrimination over others, is a way to develop a coherent legal system and foster a coherent society. If equality law itself treats some categories of people as having less dignity and rights than others, we are truly opening Pandora\u2019s Box.<\/p>\n

Related Articles<\/strong><\/p>\n

Masterpiece Cakeshop v Colorado Civil Rights Commission<\/a> (US Supreme Court 4\/6\/18)<\/p>\n

Supreme Court rules for Colorado Baker in same-sex wedding cake case<\/a> (CNN 4\/6\/18)<\/p>\n

A conversation with Native Americans on race<\/a> (New York Times 15\/4\/18)<\/p>\n

Cake cases: Gay marriage, freedom of expression in Northern Ireland and the USA<\/a> (Balancing Beliefs)<\/p>\n

American Family Association<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=”3.0.106″ in_same_term=”off” show_prev=”on” show_next=”on” prev_text=”Previous” next_text=”Next” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”3.0.106″ show_avatar=”on” show_reply=”on” show_count=”on” background_layout=”light” header_font_size_tablet=”51″ header_line_height_tablet=”2″ custom_button=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_use_icon=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Related posts” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_layout=”light” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n

Related<\/h1>\n

Related posts:<\/h3>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>

Marriage Law-Why Consummation Should Be Abolished.<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a>
<\/div>

Perverting education and the relevance of gay penguins<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a>
<\/div>

The Ghost of Christmas (Bans) Past<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”3.0.106″ area=”sidebar-1″ orientation=”left” show_border=”off” background_layout=”light” locked=”on” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Connect Title” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” _builder_version=”3.0.90″ background_color=”#1d1d1d” module_class=”footer-section” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” global_module=”380″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” global_parent=”380″ locked=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_3=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” make_equal=”off” module_id=”footer-row” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Contact Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us” global_parent=”380″ text_text_color=”#aaaaaa” parent_locked=”off” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_class=”contact-us” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

+44 (0) 161 306 6000<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Find Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Find Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Address” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_id=”address” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

The University of Manchester
Oxford Rd
Manchester
M13 9PL
UK<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Connect Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Connect With Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Social Media” global_parent=”380″ parent_locked=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n