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Colorado baker back in court over discrimination allegation

Lakewood baker Jack Phillips was back in court Tuesday over his refusal to bake a cake celebrating a gender transition.
Credit: Matthew Staver, USA TODAY
Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, CO, refused to design a wedding cake for a gay couple based on his religious beliefs. The Supreme Court ruled in his favor.

DENVER — An attorney for a Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple on religious grounds - a stand partially upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court - says the state is punishing his client again over his refusal to bake a cake celebrating a gender transition.

 Attorneys for Jack Phillips were in Denver federal court Tuesday to try to stop the state from taking action against him regarding the new discrimination allegation.

In June, Colorado Civil Rights Commission found probable cause that Denver attorney Autumn Scardina was discriminated against because of her transgender status.

RELATED: Verify: Is the SCOTUS ruling a win for the cake shop baker or gay rights?

The state has asked the lawsuit to be dismissed but Senior Judge Wiley Y. Daniel said he was inclined to let the case continue. He said would issue a ruling later.

RELATED: SCOTUS rules in favor of Masterpiece Cakeshop in battle between gay couple and baker

The previous court battle which resulted in the Supreme Court ruling over the summer was between the Masterpiece Cakeshop and Colorado Civil Rights Commission. It dates back to July 2012, when David Mullins and Charlie Craig attempted to order a cake for their wedding reception at a small shop in a Lakewood strip mall. Jack Phillips, who owns the bakery, told them they wouldn’t sell wedding cakes to same-sex couples based on his religious beliefs.

(Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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