303 Creative LLC v. Elenis
The Conclusion
**The Supreme Court held 6-3 that Colorado's anti-discrimination law cannot compel a website designer to create content for same-sex marriages when doing so conflicts with her religious beliefs.** The decision established that web design qualifies as expressive activity protected by the First Amendment, marking the current Court's broadest extension of compelled speech doctrine.
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Case Analysis
Overview
Lorie Smith designs websites in Colorado. State anti-discrimination law would require her business to serve same-sex couples even though she objects to same-sex marriage on religious grounds. She sued before taking any such request, challenging the law as compelled speech under the First Amendment. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the government cannot force someone to create expressive content they object to, and that web design qualifies as expression. The ruling is the current Court's most expansive statement on compelled speech.
Conclusion
**The Supreme Court held 6-3 that Colorado's anti-discrimination law cannot compel a website designer to create content for same-sex marriages when doing so conflicts with her religious beliefs.** The decision established that web design qualifies as expressive activity protected by the First Amendment, marking the current Court's broadest extension of compelled speech doctrine.
Notes
OT2022. Added via SCOTUS bulk import 2026-05-14
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