June 4, 2018
Issues: Religious Freedom, Stopping Discrimination
Muslim Civil Rights Group Responds to Narrow Ruling in Masterpiece Cakeshop, Reminds Businesses that Discrimination is Still Illegal
Washington, DC – Today, Muslim Advocates’ legal director Johnathan Smith released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s narrow ruling in Masterpiece Cakeshop, which was not a victory for anti-discrimination advocates, but also kept in place core protections for LGBTQ individuals and other minorities. Muslim Advocates is a vocal supporter of equality in this case, filing an amicus brief with many religious organizations and authoring several opinion pieces on why this issue has an immediate impact on whether businesses can discriminate against Muslims:
“This narrow ruling should not in any way imply that businesses can discriminate against minority groups, be they LGBTQ, Muslims, racial minorities, or people with disabilities. Discrimination is illegal, pure and simple.
Today, the Supreme Court reaffirms that discrimination and bigotry have no place in our society. The decision in no way weakens protections for Muslims, LGBTQ patrons or anyone else.
We continue to stand in favor of LGBTQ rights in support of LGBTQ Muslims and Americans of all faiths who stand against discrimination.”
Muslim Advocates is a national legal advocacy and educational organization that works on the frontlines of civil rights to guarantee freedom and justice for Americans of all faiths.
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