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It's Not About the Cake

Image result for discriminationA case recently went to the Supreme Court regarding a business that refused to make a wedding cake for two men who were planning to get married in 2012. This case isn't really about cake, however, it is about civil rights and freedom from discrimination based on sexual orientation. The baker argued that they, "only serve heterosexual couples." If the Supreme Court sides with the bakery on this case, there are implications that may affect anyone who is part of any marginalized group, as it would mean businesses are free to serve only those who have particular (most likely dominant) identities. Unfortunately, this kind of discrimination is not uncommon, and may lead to those who belong to sexual minority groups to feel as if they have to abide by certain societal rules that allow them to be "passing" as heterosexual. This action of passing may also be utilized by those who do not conform to the gender binary. This focus on "passing" may be done to avoid discrimination in a number of ways, but one important aspect to acknowledge is that of safety. Minimization of what those these marginalized groups experience may occur as someone may say something along the lines of, "Why don't they just go to another bakery?" but it cannot be ignored that disproportionately high levels of violence are enacted on sexual and gender minorities (especially transgender Women of Color) because of who they are.

While I do not agree with the bakery's choice to not serve those who are not straight, I have been trying to understand where they have formed these beliefs or what justifications may be used from that side of the court. When it comes down to it, this particular bakery is operating using the Ethic of Divinity, as they cite their religion as the reason they do not make wedding cakes for same-sex couples. This means their morals come from their God or other higher deity, and they do not want to do anything that would break the commandments or other set of behavioral guidelines in place by their religion. While I do not believe this brings any justification to discrimination, it was interesting to take a moment to think about this baker's worldview.

Reference:
http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/04/opinions/masterpiece-cakeshop-colorado-opinion-grimm/index.html

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