Sopranos star Michael Imperioli sarcastically thanked the Supreme Court for “allowing” him to discriminate against him as it banned “fanatics” and “homophobes” from viewing his work.
“I have decided to ban fanatics and homophobes from watching The Sopranos, The White Lotus, Goodfellas, or any film or TV show I’ve been in,” Imperioli posted on Instagram Saturday after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Christian web designer who argued that she shouldn’t have to design a page for a same-sex couple.
“Thank you Supreme Court for allowing me to discriminate against and exclude those I disagree with and oppose.” USA! UNITED STATES!’ Imperioli continued before getting more serious, saying, “Hate and ignorance are not a legitimate point of view.”
He later commented on his post, saying, “America is getting dumber by the minute.”
The actor is now just one of many activists who have spoken out against the decision in recent days.
Sopranos star Michael Imperioli (pictured in October) criticized the Supreme Court decision that allowed a Christian web designer to refuse service to a same-sex couple
He posted on Instagram that “fanatics” and “homophobes” would no longer be allowed to see “The Sopranos.” Imperioli is pictured in the series with James Gandolfini
Imperioli also “thanked” the Supreme Court “for allowing me to discriminate.”
The Conservative-backed decision, 6-3, overturned a lower court’s decision that Denver-area business owner Lorie Smith was not granted an exception to a Colorado statute prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Smith, the owner of 303 Creative, is an evangelical Christian and said she believes marriage can only exist between a man and a woman.
She sued the Civil Rights Commission and Colorado officials in 2016, fearing she would be fined for refusing to host gay weddings.
Her case was represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a right-wing Christian group that often prosecutes cases targeting gay and transgender rights.
During the hearing, Smith insisted that she did not want to discriminate against anyone, just that she was reluctant to express her Christian faith.
She argued that her websites were considered art and protected by her constitutional right to free speech.
Ultimately, the conservative majority of the Supreme Court agreed — although the liberal justices argued that a ruling in Smith’s favor would encourage other companies to discriminate against certain customers.
Lorie Smith is a Christian graphic designer who said her religious beliefs lead her to turn down requests to design wedding websites for same-sex couples
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Smith’s favour, led by his Conservative majority
In his majority opinion, Judge Neil Gorsuch said the First Amendment prohibits Colorado state officials from “compelling a website designer to create expressive designs that convey messages the designer disagrees with.”
“The protections of the First Amendment extend to all, not just those orators whose motives the government deems worthy,” he wrote.
“In this case, Colorado is attempting to coerce a person to speak on a matter of great importance in a way that is consistent with their views but challenges their conscience.”
However, Judge Sonia Sotomayor said the verdict was “deeply wrong” in her minority opinion.
“Today, for the first time in its history, the court grants a public-facing corporation the constitutional right to refuse to serve members of a protected class,” she said, reading from the bench to demonstrate the depth of the sentiment Minority.
“Today is a sad day in American constitutional law and in the lives of LGBT people.”
On Friday, a person protested outside the Supreme Court as Washington awaited a decision in the Lorie Smith case
The photo shows a protester protesting outside the Supreme Court as it made its final decision on the case on Friday
Smith’s supporters cheered after the Conservative majority of the court ruled she could refuse to work with same-sex couples
Democrats were also quick to criticize the decision, with President Joe Biden saying he was “deeply concerned that the decision could lead to more discrimination against LGBTQI+ Americans.”
“More broadly, today’s decision weakens long-standing laws that protect all Americans from discrimination in public accommodation — including people of color, people with disabilities, people of faith and women.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also said, “Denial of service based on who one loves is as bigoted and hateful as denial of service based on race or religion.”
“And that is bigotry that the vast majority of Americans find totally unacceptable.”