In July 2012, Charlie Craig and David Mullins went to Masterpiece Cakeshop to order a cake for their wedding
reception. The owner, Jack Phillips, told them that he would sell them baked goods but he would not create a
cake for a same-sex wedding ceremony. Mr. Phillip said that due to his religious convictions, he would not
design a cake promoting same-sex marriages.
After the incident at Masterpiece Cakeshop became public, another bakery provided Mr. Craig and Mr. Mullins
with a rainbow cake at no charge. However, Mr. Mullins filed a discrimination charge with Colorado’s Civil
Rights Commission that September. The commission brought a case against Mr. Phillips and his shop in May
2013.
On June 4, 2018, the Supreme Court ruled on the case.
First, you will research the case of Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the law
surrounding the First Amendment Free Speech Clause and Free Exercise of Religion Clause. Your research
should include the documents provided in the tab labeled “Research Documents,” as well as conduct in-depth
research on your own. Both the ACLU and the Alliance Defending Freedom have many documents on this
topic; you can find more information at www.adflegal.org and www.aclu.org. You must use at least 8 sources
Facts of the Case
Procedure of the Case (ie. How did the case get to the U.S. Supreme Court?)
Discussion of the three main legal issues – Free Speech, Free Exercise of Religion, and violation of Colorado’s
Anti-Discrimination Act
Summary of the Petitioner’s argument
Summary of the Respondent’s argument
Legal Analysis of each legal issue
How did the U.S. Supreme Court will rule?
Potential implications for other businesses
Potential implications for future cases