Jack Phillips simply wants to craft exquisite cakes for all his clients, regardless of their backgrounds.

However, his faith limits him from conveying certain messages in his work.

This has led aggressive activists and the state government to push him to compromise his beliefs by using anti-discrimination regulations against him. For 12 years, Phillips and his family have fought for their right to free speech in the courts.

Fortunately, recent rulings from the Colorado Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court may finally allow him the freedom to focus on his passion without facing legal threats.

A Lengthy Legal Battle: Will It End Here?

Phillips’ shop, Masterpiece Cakeshop, faced its first lawsuit in 2012 after he refused to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding. That case escalated to the U.S. Supreme Court, where Phillips ultimately won. However, the decision hinged on the lack of respect shown by Colorado’s officials towards Phillips’ faith rather than addressing free speech concerns.

This left the pathway open for additional legal challenges, which soon occurred.

On the same day the Supreme Court agreed to take on Phillips’ case, transgender lawyer Autumn Scardina requested that he create a cake celebrating a gender transition, along with another cake featuring Satan smoking marijuana. Phillips declined both requests, leading to further legal action.

On Tuesday, the Colorado Supreme Court dismissed the case, stating that the plaintiff did not follow the proper procedures. Although this ruling did not specifically protect Phillips’ First Amendment rights, his legal team feels he will be safeguarded moving forward.

This optimism follows last year’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the case of 303 Creative v. Elenis, which established that the government cannot compel creative professionals, like web designer Lorie Smith, to endorse messages they do not align with.

John Bursch, a senior attorney from the Alliance Defending Freedom, which has supported Phillips without charge, indicated that the ruling in 303 Creative should extend protection to Phillips as well. He also noted that the creative nature of Phillips’ work aligns with the court’s clarification.

Nevertheless, Phillips and other owners still need to remain cautious.

“As long as individuals like Jack are committed to upholding their faith publicly, there will always be those who oppose him and strive to suppress his beliefs,” Bursch stated.

‘If My Rights Are Taken Away, Everyone’s Are at Stake’

This summer, I had the opportunity to speak with Phillips as he awaited the outcome from the Colorado Supreme Court.

A quiet and reserved individual, Phillips appears deeply affected by the relentless pressure he has faced over the years.

I inquired about what has motivated him to persist through these challenging times, despite notable emotional and financial hardships on himself and his family. The restrictions on making wedding cakes since his first legal confrontation significantly hurt his business.

“It’s the right thing to do,” Phillips explained. “These rights not just benefit me, they also safeguard those who are pursuing legal action against me. They are essential to uphold because if I’m stripped of my rights, it puts all rights at risk.”

Phillips launched his business to weave together his various passions like art and baking. He named it “Masterpiece Cakeshop” as a reflection of his faith and a reference to the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus stated, “No one can serve two masters.”

“This business allows me to combine my artistic background with my passion for baking, and I enjoy interacting directly with people every day,” he shared. “Whether it’s the team I work with or the customers who come through the door, I embrace it all.”

With his recent legal issues resolved, I hope Phillips can refocus on pursuing his true passion.