Wyden, Merkley dismayed by Colo. bakery case ruling

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement Monday in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission , in which the court ruled in favor of a bakery owner who refused to serve a same-sex couple:

“The only thing the Supreme Court’s decision makes clear is that we must keep working to ensure our country does not slip back to the dark days when pure prejudice forced LGBTQ Americans to be afraid and to live in the shadows,” Wyden said.

“Discriminating against anybody because of how they look, who they love or who they are has no place in our country. Congress must act to protect the equal rights of LGBTQ Americans, starting with the clear statement that discrimination for any reason remains discrimination, period,” he added.

Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., the lead author of the Equality Act, released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission:

“Operating a business in the U.S. means having your door open to all. No American should have to fear having that door slammed in their face based on who they are or whom they love,” Merkley said.

“Today’s ruling only underscores the importance of making full equality the law of the land nationwide. We need to pass the Equality Act to give clear and explicit non-discrimination protections in all areas of life to LGBTQ Americans everywhere.”