Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/17pdf/16-111diff2_e1pf.pdf
Page Number: 43

Cite as:  584 U. S. ____ (2018) 

5 

Opinion of THOMAS, J. 

Constitution  limits  the  government’s  authority  to  restrict
or  compel  it.  “[O]ne important manifestation of  the prin-
ciple of free speech is that one who chooses to speak may
also decide ‘what not to say’ ” and “tailor” the content of his 
message as he sees fit.  Id., at 573 (quoting Pacific Gas & 
Elec.  Co.  v.  Public  Util.  Comm’n  of  Cal.,  475  U. S.  1,  16 
(1986)  (plurality  opinion)).    This  rule  “applies  not  only  to
expressions of value, opinion, or endorsement, but equally
to  statements  of  fact  the  speaker  would  rather  avoid.”  
Hurley,  supra,  at  573.    And  it  “makes  no  difference” 
whether  the  government  is  regulating  the  “creati[on], 
distributi[on],  or  consum[ption]”  of  the  speech.  Brown  v. 
Entertainment  Merchants  Assn.,  564  U. S.  786,  792,  n. 1 
(2011). 

II
 
A
 
The conduct that the Colorado Court of Appeals ascribed 
to  Phillips—creating  and  designing  custom  wedding 
cakes—is expressive.  Phillips considers himself an artist.
The  logo  for  Masterpiece  Cakeshop  is  an  artist’s  paint 
palette with a paintbrush and baker’s whisk.  Behind the 
counter Phillips has a picture that depicts him as an artist
painting on a canvas.  Phillips takes exceptional care with
each  cake  that  he  creates—sketching  the  design  out  on 
paper, choosing the color scheme, creating the frosting and
decorations,  baking  and  sculpting  the  cake,  decorating  it,
and  delivering  it  to  the  wedding.    Examples  of  his  crea-
See 
tions  can  be  seen  on  Masterpiece’s  website. 
http://masterpiececakes.com/wedding-cakes (as last visited
June 1, 2018).

Phillips is an active participant in the wedding celebra-
tion.   He  sits  down  with  each  couple  for  a  consultation
before he creates their custom wedding cake.  He discusses 
their  preferences,  their  personalities,  and  the  details  of
their wedding to ensure that each cake reflects the couple