Mass. Bar Association concerned by Supreme Court decision affecting same-sex couples

Thursday, June 29, 2023MBA President Grace V.B. Garcia

Massachusetts Bar Association President Grace V.B. Garcia issued the following statement in response to today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis: 
 
“The Massachusetts Bar Association shares the disappointment of many in the legal community who have spoken out against today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that authorizes a designer of wedding websites to refuse services to same-sex couples.
 
“The decision, which cites the designer’s right to free speech, is in stark contrast to the protections afforded by public accommodation laws to members of the LGBTQ+ community and other groups who may experience discrimination. No individual seeking to patronize a business should be turned away based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or membership in a racial or ethnic group. 
 
“We have long supported the expansion of rights and protections for the LGBTQ+ community, including by filing an amicus brief in the groundbreaking case of Goodridge vs. Department of Public Health, which resulted in Massachusetts becoming the first state to recognize that same-sex couples had the right to marry.
 
“We stand with our colleagues in the LGBTQ+ community, including our affinity partners at the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association, and remain committed to the promotion of inclusion within the legal profession and beyond."