Colorado has agreed to pay over $1.5 million in legal fees to Lorie Smith, a web designer who refused to create a wedding website for a same-sex couple. This follows a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court last year, which sided with Smith in her case against the state’s anti-discrimination laws. Smith, who runs 303 Creative LLC, argued that Colorado's laws violated her First Amendment rights. Identifying as a Christian, she cited her religious objections to marriage equality as the basis for her refusal. The case was brought before the Supreme Court, where, in a 6-3 decision, the justices ruled in favor of Smith. Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the majority, stated that the state was forcing Smith to speak against her conscience. In stark contrast, Justice Sonia Sotomayor delivered a powerful dissent, asserting that the ruling sets a troubling precedent by granting businesses a constitutional right to refuse service to members of protected classes. Smith's legal representation, the conservative group Alliance Defending Freedom, celebrated the ruling, emphasizing its importance for free speech rights. The settlement amount of $1.5 million is expected to be finalized later this month and is notably lower than the $2 million initially requested by Smith. This case underscores the ongoing legal and social battles surrounding freedom of speech and discrimination rights in America. #Queer Up Courts