lgbtq
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10th Circuit returns Christian web designer case to trial court following SCOTUS ruling
The federal appeals court based in Denver issued a brief order on Thursday returning the case of Christian web designer Lorie Smith to a trial judge, two months after the nation’s highest court sided with her and narrowed the scope of Colorado’s anti-discrimination law. In 303 Creative v. Elenis, Smith sought an injunction to prevent the…
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Colorado teens seek new state laws to support transgender youth
Teenagers from the Colorado Youth Advisory Council want to make Colorado a more supportive state for transgender youth. The council presented six policy recommendations to state legislators on Wednesday, two of which targeted issues facing young members of the transgender community. Three of the recommendations will eventually be sent to the Colorado General Assembly for legislators…
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Colorado leaders cautious about altering anti-discrimination law following SCOTUS decision
After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a Christian website designer, along with businesses that create speech, do not have to serve LGBTQ customers if the desired message violates their beliefs, policymakers in Colorado are pondering whether changes to the state’s anti-discrimination law are warranted. Currently, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) makes it unlawful for businesses…
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Colorado’s Timothy Tymkovich channeled in 303 Creative decision from SCOTUS
When the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority opened the door for certain businesses to deny service for reasons related to sexual orientation, Justice Neil M. Gorsuch repeatedly turned to the words of his friend and former appellate colleague, Timothy M. Tymkovich. Tymkovich, who sat on the three-judge panel that first decided 303 Creative v. Elenis in 2021,…
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Questions arise about ‘fake’ customer in SCOTUS anti-discrimination case
On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court will likely hand down a decision in a case out of Colorado that could permit artistically oriented businesses to decline service to LGBTQ customers. On June 29, however, The New Republic reported that part of the evidence submitted in the lawsuit of 303 Creative v. Elenis references a purportedly gay customer who sought…
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Colorado legislature OKs non-gendered bathrooms, baby changing stations in public buildings
An effort to add non-gendered bathrooms and baby changing stations to Colorado’s public buildings passed its last major legislative hurdle on Friday. House Bill 1057 requires newly constructed public buildings owned or operated by the government to provide non-gendered bathrooms on each floor where gendered bathrooms are available, beginning in 2024. The buildings would also need to provide…
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Proposal advances for non-gendered bathrooms, baby changing stations in Colorado public buildings
An effort to add non-gendered bathrooms and baby changing stations to Colorado’s public buildings passed its first hurdle on Monday, receiving approval from a state House committee. If passed by the full legislature, House Bill 1057 would require newly constructed public buildings owned or operated by the government to provide non-gendered bathrooms on each floor…
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Colorado appeals court finds Masterpiece Cakeshop violated anti-discrimination law again
For the second time in nearly eight years, Colorado’s second-highest court has agreed Masterpiece Cakeshop, Inc. violated the state’s antidiscrimination law by refusing to sell a cake to an LGBTQ customer. A three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals concluded the store’s owner, Jack Phillips, ran afoul of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) when he…
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Colorado’s anti-discrimination law v. the First Amendment: An explainer of the 303 Creative case
For the second time in recent history, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a case out of Colorado involving a Christian business owner’s refusal to provide wedding services tailored to same-sex couples. On Monday morning, the justices participated in arguments in the appeal of 303 Creative LLC et al. v. Elenis et al. Here are the key…
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‘The door is now open’: Charlotte Sweeney officially sworn in to history-making judgeship
Charlotte N. Sweeney paid tribute Friday to every woman who preceded her as a trial judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, observing they all made history for being a “first” in one way or another. “For me it’s important to name the firsts. It’s only when you celebrate the first…