Colo. Christian Baker Appeals Order to Bake Wedding Cakes for Gay Ceremonies in State Supreme Court

A Colorado Christian baker who was previously found guilty for refusing to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex wedding ceremony has reportedly appealed his case to the Colorado Supreme Court.

Jack Phillips, who owns Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colorado, filed a petition with the state Supreme Court this week, arguing that the court's ruling that he discriminates against customers violates his religious freedom rights.

"It was the duty of the Court of Appeals to adopt a reasonable interpretation of CADA that 'avoid[s] constitutional conflict.' But it did the opposite," the petition reads. "By equating an artist's conscience-driven, message-based objection to creating expressive items that offend his beliefs with person-based discrimination based on sexual orientation, the court places CADA in direct conflict with the fundamental rights to free speech and free exercise of religion, and wrongly subordinates these rights to public accommodations law."

"The substantial statutory question concerning the scope of CADA, with its evident constitutional implications, warrants this court's review," the petition adds.

Earlier this year, the state's court of appeals had upheld a previous ruling that determined Phillips must bake cakes for same-sex couples despite his personal religious beliefs.

"Nothing in the record supports the conclusion that a reasonable observer would interpret Masterpiece's providing a wedding cake for a same-sex couple as an endorsement of same-sex marriage rather than a reflection of its desire to conduct business in accordance with Colorado's public accommodations law," the ruling from the court of appeals stated.

The small-business baker has maintained that he is consistent with following his religious beliefs through his profession, also refusing to make cakes honoring Halloween, atheism, or inappropriate messages.