Maloney Statement on Supreme Court Decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop Case
WASHINGTON — Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), a co-chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus and lead author of an amicus brief in support of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the anti-LGBTQ baker in the case.
“This is a disappointing decision – there’s no denying it. We wouldn’t allow a hotel to refuse a room to a person because of their race or allow a restaurant to deny service to a couple based on their religion. Those same protections should apply to Americans based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.
“Although this doesn’t give businesses the right to discriminate universally, it’s still an indication we need the Equality Act, which would finally extend critical civil rights protections to members of the LGBTQ community. If the courts won’t act affirmatively to protect the constitutional rights of all Americans, Congress should.”
