Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission was a significant Supreme Court case that addressed the intersection of public accommodation laws, free speech, and the free exercise of religion. At the heart of the case was Masterpiece Cakeshop, a bakery in Lakewood, Colorado, owned by Jack Phillips, who refused to create a custom wedding cake for a same-sex couple, citing his religious beliefs. The Colorado Civil Rights Commission evaluated the bakery's actions under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act and determined that Phillips had discriminated against the couple, issuing orders for compliance.

After a series of appeals, the Colorado Supreme Court upheld the Commission's decision, prompting Phillips to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 7–2 ruling, the Court found that the Commission had not demonstrated religious neutrality in its evaluation of Phillips's case, thus violating his rights to free exercise of religion. However, the Court did not make a broader ruling on the general balance between anti-discrimination laws and religious freedom, focusing instead on the specific circumstances of the Commission's actions.

The case was supported by the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a conservative Christian legal advocacy group that represented Masterpiece. ADF emphasized the need for tolerance and respect for differing opinions, arguing that the Commission's treatment of Phillips was unjust. Notably, ADF has connections to influential political figures, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, along with former Vice President Mike Pence and others.

In addition to its involvement in this case, ADF has played a role in shaping significant legislation, including writing the model for Mississippi's anti-abortion law, which contributed to the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. This decision ultimately overturned the long-standing precedent of Roe v. Wade, which had established a constitutional right to abortion in the United States since 1973. The implications of Masterpiece Cakeshop continue to resonate in discussions about the balance between individual rights and anti-discrimination protections, reflecting ongoing societal debates around these critical issues.