Jun 4, 2018
Equality NC Statement on Masterpiece Cakeshop
Equality North Carolina, North Carolina's largest statewide LGBTQ advocacy group, released the following statement from Executive Director Kendra R. Johnson following today's Supreme Court ruling in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission:
Our nation decided more than 50 years ago that when a business decides to open its doors to the public, that business should be open to all—a core principle that is at the heart of how we treat one another. That principle is more important than ever in light of today’s decision. While the Court’s decision does not create a new license to discriminate, it also does not address the discrimination that millions of Americans still face. North Carolina state laws do not explicitly protect LGBTQ Americans from discrimination in stores and restaurants, in the workplace, or in housing. That’s why we are joining a growing chorus of business owners, civil rights advocates, religious leaders, health organizations, labor groups, LGBTQ people and our friends, families and allies in calling on businesses across America and here in North Carolina to sign the Open to All business pledge and declare that they oppose discrimination and that they are open to all.
The time is now for the North Carolina General Assembly to pass non-discrimination protections like those contained in HB906 and for Congress to pass the Equality Act to create one set of rules for everyone. It’s time for our nation’s laws to catch up to our nation’s values and protect all Americans from discrimination, so that no one can be fired from their job, denied a place to live, or turned away from a business simply because of who they are. Almost two-thirds of North Carolinians support statewide non-discrimination laws like those in HB906. We call on the North Carolina General Assembly to pass this bill out of committee.
“Today’s decision does not change the core American principle that businesses open to the public should be open to all,” said Equality NC Executive Director, Kendra R. Johnson. “However, today’s decision makes it painfully clear that LGBTQ North Carolinians still lack crucial protections from discrimination. The time is now for our leadership to do the right thing and pass non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people and their families.”
