Colorado web designer Lorie Smith, who was recently permitted by the Supreme Court to refuse website creation for gay weddings, is in dispute over a request cited in case, denied by the supposed client.
The big picture: Smith cited a request from a man identified as Stewart, a request he denies making, as part of her case arguing for her right to refuse service to gay couples.
* This lawsuit was filed in a preemptive manner seven years ago, before Smith started creating wedding websites.
* While the lawsuit doesn’t revolve around this request, it was invoked by Smith’s attorneys during the lawsuit.
Continuing controversy: Stewart claims he never submitted the request and didn’t know his name was present in the lawsuit until recently.
* Stewart stated that he has been married to a woman for 15 years and that he is capable of creating his own website due to his profession as a designer.
* Smith’s lawyer, Kristen Waggoner, argues that the request was genuinely received through Smith’s website, and may possibly be from an internet troll.
Reaction and implications: The lawsuit has been labelled by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser as a “made up case” due to the fact that Smith was not offering wedding website services at the time it was filed.
* Weiser has called for the Supreme Court to address the lawsuit’s merits, terming them as lacking any basis in reality.
* The lawsuit has marked a significant win for Smith, although it’s seen as a setback for gay rights.
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