We have more good news to share! After yesterday’s landmark win for Faithful Carrier Gerald Groff, the U.S. Supreme Court just issued a favorable order in our Sweet Cakes by Melissa case.

The Court vacated a lower court decision that forced Oregon bakers Aaron and Melissa Klein out of business by penalizing them for refusing to create a government-approved message that was in conflict with their religious beliefs. The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries originally imposed a devastating $135,000 damage award against the Kleins for violating the state’s public accommodations statute after they declined to design and create a wedding cake celebrating a same-sex wedding.

Today’s Supreme Court order gives Aaron and Melissa another opporrunity to fight their case in the state courts. This is positive—but it also means this decade-long legal battle is far from over.

The Supreme Court is sending the case back to the lower courts with clear direction: they must rexamine the Kleins’ case in light of the recent ruling in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis. In that decision, the Court held that government may not force creative business owners to speak messages that violate their beliefs.

“It’s a win when the Supreme Court vacates a bad lower court decision like it did for Aaron and Melissa today, but the case is not over,” said First Liberty President and CEO Kelly Shackelford. “The Kleins have been fighting for the First Amendment for over a decade and we will stand with them no matter how long it takes to get the victory they deserve.”

First Liberty Executive General Counsel Hiram Sasser explains in more detail what today’s order means and what’s next. Watch below:

WATCH NOW »

Thank you for standing strong alongside Aaron, Melissa and First Liberty. It’s been a long and difficult legal battle for them and their five children, to say the least, and we sincerely appreciate your prayers, encouragement and support.

But the Klein’s search for sweet justice is not over. We will continue fighting for Aaron and Melissa—which means we need your continued support. Litigating these cases demands tremendous resources.

As we rapidly approach our fiscal year end today, Friday June 30th, you can have an even greater impact with your donation. Give by midnight tonight and you will increase the impact of your gift thanks to our $350,000 Challenge Grant. Together, we can keep winning the fight for religious freedom in 2023.