In a defeat for gay rights, the Supreme Court's conservative majority ruled Friday that a Christian graphic artist who wants to design wedding websites can refuse to work with same-sex couples.
Smith's opponents warned that a win for her would allow a range of businesses to discriminate, refusing to serve Black, Jewish or Muslim customers, interracial or interfaith couples or immigrants. But Smith and her supporters had said that a ruling against her would force artists -- from painters and photographers to writers and musicians -- to do work that is against their beliefs.
Even as it has expanded gay rights, however, the court has been careful to say those with differing religious views needed to be respected. The belief that marriage can only be between one man and one woman is an idea that "long has been held -- and continues to be held -- in good faith by reasonable and sincere people here and throughout the world," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the court's gay marriage decision.