In Article for Eater by Andrea Strong ’94, Professor William Araiza Weighs in on Masterpiece Cakeshop Case

05/15/2018

In a recent article for the popular website Eater by Andrea Strong ’94, constitutional law scholar Professor William Araiza discusses what an imminent decision in the Supreme Court case Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission means for the food industry—and LGBTQ rights.

The case centers on whether a creative business, in this case a baker, can refuse service to a gay couple based on First Amendment rights of free speech and free exercise of religion. A decision in the case is expected by June 2018.

Araiza, author of Animus: A Short Introduction to Bias in the Law (NYU Press 2017), said: “The [Court] might look to what the chefs say in terms of informing the proposition that food is not expression for First Amendment purposes, but it’s hard to believe they would defer to them completely.”

Strong, a noted longtime food writer, also is Manager of Development Communications for the Law School.

Read the article: Just Let Them Eat Cake.