“Americans should not be forced by the government — or by another citizen — to endorse or promote ideas with which they disagree,” said Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) Lead Counsel Nicolle Martin. “This is not about the people who asked for a cake; it’s about the message the cake communicates.

A Christian cake artist in Colorado filed an appeal Wednesday challenging a government order that says he and his staff must take “re-education” classes. The classes would “educate” employees about a state law that effectively demands that businesses celebrate same-sex ceremonies.

Jack Phillips, who owns Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colo., declined to make such a cake back in 2012. After politely declining, he said he would happily create any other baked goods. The couple then filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission.

“Americans should not be forced by the government — or by another citizen — to endorse or promote ideas with which they disagree,” said Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) Lead Counsel Nicolle Martin. “This is not about the people who asked for a cake; it’s about the message the cake communicates. Just as Jack doesn’t create baked works of art for other events with which he disagrees, he doesn’t create cake art for same-sex ceremonies regardless of who walks in the door to place the order.”

In December of last year, a Colorado judge ruled that Phillips had to create cakes for such ceremonies — and prove that he has done so. ADF appealed this decision in January. It was denied.

On May 30, the commission issued an order demanding employees of Masterpiece Cakeshop must also take the so called re-education classes.

“In America, we don’t force artists to create expression that is contrary to their convictions,” added ADF Senior Legal Counsel Jeremy Tedesco. “An artist who identifies as homosexual shouldn’t be intimidated into creating a painting that celebrates one-man, one-woman marriage. A pro-life photographer shouldn’t be forced to work a pro-abortion rally. And Christian cake artists shouldn’t be punished for declining to participate in a same-sex ceremony or promote its message.”

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