On Friday, June 30, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Colorado woman who operates a wedding website, but who refused to provide goods to same-sex couples.
By allowing this, the court has significantly diminished some rights of those in the LGBTQ community by allowing businesses to discriminate against them.
This ruling has caused an uproar across the country as many members of the queer community now fear businesses will turn them away simply for their sexual orientation.
President Joe Biden stated in a press release, “More broadly, today’s decision weakens long-standing laws that protect all Americans against discrimination in public accommodations – including people of color, people with disabilities, people of faith and women.”
This ruling is a major blow to the civil rights movement at large and a huge step backwards in modern society. Tone-deaf decisions like this speak volumes in the argument for term limits in the Supreme Court. After the passing of the honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, conservative power in the judicial branch is making its majority known. This is only the latest in a line of regressive legislation; including the recent overturn of Roe v. Wade and Affirmative Action. To what end are our unalienable rights barred? There cannot be a republic in which the people are not heard. “Freedom for all” shouldn’t be so complicated.
Throughout our country’s history there have been times of immense discrimination on many levels. It is impossible to claim ourselves as the land of the free in which everyone is created equal when we continuously allow for situations such as these to keep occurring.
Many people face discrimination and prejudice in the workplace based on their sexuality, which can lead to unequal pay, harassment and lack of opportunities for advancement. In addition to this, it can also have a significant impact on a persons’ mental health, self-worth and even their financial stability. This is unacceptable and needs to change. Employers should be held accountable for creating a safe and inclusive work environment for all employees, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. When employers discriminate against employees or job applicants based on their sexuality, they violate their basic human rights. When individuals are given the authority to discriminate at any level, such as the case with the Colorado business woman, all rights are threatened.
As evolving humans and citizens we withhold the right to marry whom we like.
People should not be discriminated against for making decisions for themselves and choosing a certain lifestyle. Until our government can do right by everyone rather than the selected, there will continue to be problems.
