No services for gay couples – Supreme Court hears weighty case

The U.S. Supreme Court has heard a case that could seriously limit the rights of same-sex couples. At the hearing on Monday in the American capital Washington, some judges were open to the arguments of a web designer who only wants to offer her services to heterosexual couples for religious reasons. However, the three judges who can be regarded as liberal raised the question of where the line should be drawn in this line of argument – and whether there is a risk that, following the plaintiff’s logic, retailers will also offer certain services to black people or people with disabilities in the future. .

The web designer from the US state of Colorado wants to indicate on her homepage that she does not want to design websites for same-sex couples. However, this is not compatible with the anti-discrimination law in your country.

The web designer’s case could have far-reaching consequences for the rights of the LGBTQ community. At issue is the fundamental question of whether the right to freedom of expression can undermine the rights to protect minorities. The English abbreviation LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans people and queer people.

In June it became clear that the Supreme Court is prepared to revoke established rights. At that point, the court nullified the right to abortion, which had lasted about 50 years. Under former President Donald Trump, the Supreme Court has moved considerably to the right. There are only three female judges who are considered liberal. On the other hand, six arch-conservative judges, some of whom are deeply religious, have recently ruled repeatedly in the interest of religious prosecutors. (saw/sda/dpa)