PORTLAND – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled for 303 Creative, saying that the First Amendment allows certain businesses open to the public to use “creativity” or “expression” to turn some people away because of who they are.
This ruling ignores long-standing precedent and public norms to say that some businesses can turn some people away because of who they are. This is not what Mainers want. In Maine, we want a state where all people, including LGBTQ+ people, are equally welcomed in public spaces and businesses across the state. We know this because Mainers have historically spoken up and voted in favor of nondiscrimination protections that champion the cause of equality and fairness.
In response to this ruling, EqualityMaine stands united with our community partners, business leaders, legal advocates, inclusive faith communities, immigrant and disability rights groups, and LGBTQ+ stewards in strong, vocal opposition to today’s ruling, and is committed to defending our non-discrimination protections in Maine’s Human Rights Act. Together, we will ensure that this narrow ruling is not used to allow further discrimination on the basis of a customer’s sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or other protected class.
“The Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce is incredibly disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision today in 303 Creative. Portland has long been committed to being a welcoming place for LGBTQ individuals, and this decision does not undermine that commitment. While we evaluate the full ramifications of this decision, we will be looking to ways the business community can play a role in affirming non-discriminatory practices. No one should ever feel unwelcome or discriminated against in any business, and we stand affirmatively against any attempts to create hostile environments for members of our community.” — Quincy Hentzel, President and CEO, Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“For too long, gender-based discrimination has denied people access to justice. Our judicial system is intended to advance fair, equal and just systems for all; today’s ruling rejects the promise of our Constitution, and allows some businesses to perpetuate gender-based discrimination against our communities. We are profoundly disappointed.” — Destie Hohman Sprague, Executive Director, Maine Women’s Lobby
“For the first time, the Supreme Court has allowed certain businesses to open to the public and discriminate against people in a protected class. This decision is one in a series of recent rulings that make this country less safe and less free for LGBTQ people, women, and people of color. With a United States Supreme Court that is hostile to our most basic rights and freedoms, we will keep fighting to expand the civil rights and liberties of all people under the state constitution so Maine can be a place for all. We look forward to continuing this work alongside our partners and the people of Maine to create a state in which all people can go about their day-to-day lives without facing discrimination because of who they are.” — Carol Garvan, Legal Director, ACLU of Maine
“The Maine Council of Churches stands with those people of faith whose moral foundation is love of neighbor. We recognize LGBTQ+ persons as beloved children of God, created in the divine image–not a category of neighbors against whom anyone should be allowed to discriminate. We at MCC are appalled at the SCOTUS ruling in 303 Creative because it turns back the clock of justice to a time when injustice prevailed and businesses were allowed to perpetuate bigotry, hatred, and ignorance by denying goods and services to their neighbors. We know that the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice, but today’s ruling marks a lamentable slide backward into injustice.” — Rev. Jane Field, Executive Director, Maine Council of Churches
“For decades, legal precedent has found that businesses open to the public must treat customers fairly. Regrettably, hate speech has been on the rise in recent years, as groups and individuals have felt more empowered to openly discriminate against people whose very identity they disagree with. In the face of this rise in hatred, we must stand firm in our commitment to nondiscrimination laws (like the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act) which protect immigrants, women, LGBTQIA+ people, racial minorities, and other historically marginalized communities.” — Mufalo Chitam, Executive Director, Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition
“When a business decides to open its doors to the public, that business should be open to all — this is a core American principle at the heart of how we treat one another. Yet, during a Pride Month when LGBTQ+ people are under attack across the country by hateful policies and violence, six anti-equality justices on the Supreme Court issued a radical and reckless ruling that strikes at that deeply-held American principle. June is Pride Month, and Pride was founded in an uprising, fueled by resistance, resilience, and fighting back. We will resist. We will fight back. Our dignity will not be diminished.” — Gia Drew, Executive Director, EqualityMaine
Signed,
Gia Drew (she/Her)
Executive Director, EqualityMaine
With
ACLU of Maine
Maine Association of Nonprofits
Maine Council of Churches
Maine Equal Justice
Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition
Maine Transgender Network
Maine Women’s Lobby
New England Arab American Organization
Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce
