In a landmark 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Lorie Smith, a Christian web designer who refused to create websites for same-sex weddings, citing her First Amendment right to free speech. Justice Neil Gorsuch authored the majority opinion, sharply criticizing Justice Sonia Sotomayor's dissent for misrepresenting the facts of the case and failing to address the core issue: whether the state can compel individuals to express messages that contradict their deeply held beliefs.

Gorsuch argued that the dissent focused on hypothetical scenarios involving other professions without grappling with the central question of compelled speech. The majority opinion overturned a lower court ruling against Smith, who argued that Colorado's Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) infringed on her First Amendment rights. The Court asserted that Colorado's interpretation of CADA could force anyone who speaks for pay on a specific topic to accept all commissions on that topic, regardless of the message, if it relates to a protected characteristic.

Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson dissented, characterizing the ruling as a "new license to discriminate" and arguing that it relegated gays and lesbians to second-class status. Sotomayor contended that the ruling contradicted the historical purpose of public accommodation laws, which aim to prevent social castes. The case, 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, highlighted the tension between free speech and anti-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ+ community.

Smith has consistently stated that she welcomes clients from all backgrounds but objects to creating content that conflicts with her faith. Gorsuch emphasized the importance of individual thought and free expression as essential liberties that strengthen the republic. He argued that Colorado's attempt to compel Smith's speech violated these fundamental principles. Smith reiterated her willingness to work with anyone, emphasizing that her case centered on the message she was being asked to convey, not the client's identity.