While the ruling tries to focus narrowly on expression, it's hard to ignore the potential consequences. "In dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will undermine the government's compelling interest in ensuring that all Americans have equal access to the public marketplace." (De Vogue & Cole, 2023). What about cases that involve race, religion, or gender identity instead of sexual orientation? The Court didn't say that these protected categories are no longer a compelling government interest, but this decision suggests that those interests might sometimes be outweighed by free speech rights. That's a big shift, and it could potentially open the door for future challenges to civil rights protections. I personally find the ruling troubling. While I respect the importance of free speech, I worry that this case sets a precedent that allows some businesses to turn away customers under the disguise of protecting their own "expression". Once a business opens its doors to the public, I believe it has a duty to serve the public fairly. As a nation, we've fought long and hard to protect people from being denied service because of who they are, regardless of their race, religion, or sexual orientation. short response