The state of Colorado will pay $1.5. million in legal fees to a web designer who won her case with the Supreme Court when she refused to create a website for a same-sex wedding.
RELATED STORIES: Dearica Hamby Sues WNBA, Aces for Pregnancy Discrimination
Lorie Smith, the owner of 303 Creative, stated that her evangelical Christian beliefs prevented her from supporting same-sex marriage. Last year, a 6-3 ruling by the Supreme Court favored her, citing her First Amendment right to free speech. According to the Daily Mail, Smith filed her lawsuit in 2016 against Colorado’s civil rights commission, claiming she feared punishment under the state’s anti-discrimination law for refusing to provide services for same-sex couples.
The court overturned a lower court decision, allowing Smith to be exempt from the state law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. Following her victory, the state board approved a $1.5 million settlement for legal fees. Alliance Defending Freedom, her legal team, claims that the amount covers over 2,000 hours of work they put into the case.
RELATED STORIES: Tennessee Student with Disability Sues School for Graduation Discrimination
The case has ignited a debate about the delicate balance between free speech and anti-discrimination laws. Justice Neil Gorsuch stated that the First Amendment prohibits the government from compelling individuals to express messages or take actions that contradict their conscience, particularly their personal beliefs.
Smith stated that she doesn’t intend to discriminate against anyone but wants to uphold her right to express her Christian beliefs. She emphasized that her websites reflect artistic expression protected by her First Amendment rights.