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Hundreds Rally For Man Who Refused To Make Wedding Cake For Gay Couple

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4)- Hundreds of people gathered at a rally to show their support of a cake shop owner who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple.

The nation's highest court will take up the Colorado case this fall.

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Jack Phillips at a rally at Colorado Christian University (credit: CBS)

Hundreds gathered for the "Religious Freedom Rally for Jack Phillips" at Colorado Christian University in Lakewood on Wednesday morning.

Masterpiece Cakeshop owner Jack Phillips said making the cake went against his religious beliefs.

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Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood (credit: CBS)

The case of Masterpiece Cakeshop versus Colorado Civil Rights Commission began five years ago when Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins asked Phillips to make a cake for their wedding reception.

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(credit: CBS)

Phillips refused, saying his cakes are artistic expression and that creating a cake celebrating gay marriage violates his religious beliefs.

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Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins (credit: CBS)

"American citizens should not be compelled to create expression or to say things that are deeply at odds with their beliefs," said Phillips attorney Nicole Martin.

But the ACLU argues Colorado law bars any business, open to the public, from refusing service based on sexual orientation.

The case will be decided by a Supreme Court that now includes Colorado Judge Neil Gorsuch. In previous rulings, Gorsuch has erred on the side of religious liberty.

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Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood (credit: CBS)

Phillips delivered a statement at the rally that read in part, "I want to live in an America where creative professionals of all kinds, regardless of their beliefs, can live without fear of government punishment, and so, I'm thankful the US Supreme Court took my case. I'm hopeful they will uphold the constitutionally-protected freedom of all artists to continue to be able to peacefully and freely create art and expression consistent with their faith and conscience."

This is one of several similar cases across the country. If the court sides with Phillips, it not only means that bakers can refuse to make cakes for gay marriages, but florists and photographers, also considered artists, can refuse to provide wedding services.

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