Statement from President Joe Biden on Supreme Court Decision in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis
In America, no person should face discrimination simply because of
who they are or who they love. The Supreme Court’s disappointing
decision in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis undermines that basic
truth, and painfully it comes during Pride month when millions of
Americans across the country join together to celebrate the
contributions, resilience, and strength of the LGBTQI+ community. While
the Court’s decision only addresses expressive original designs, I’m
deeply concerned that the decision could invite more discrimination
against LGBTQI+ Americans. More broadly, today’s decision weakens
long-standing laws that protect all Americans against discrimination in
public accommodations – including people of color, people with
disabilities, people of faith, and women.
My administration
remains committed to working with our federal enforcement agencies to
rigorously enforce federal laws that protect Americans from
discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. We will
also work with states across the country to fight back against attempts
to roll back civil rights protections that could follow this ruling. And
we will accelerate our march towards full equality for every American.
When
one group’s dignity and equality are threatened, the promise of our
democracy is threatened and we all suffer. Our work to advance equal
rights for everyone will continue. That is why we must pass the Equality
Act, which will enshrine civil rights protections for LGBTQI+ Americans
in federal law and strengthen public accommodations protections for all
Americans. I urge Congress to swiftly send this legislation to my desk.
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