The Colorado Supreme Court dismissed a discrimination lawsuit against Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, concerning his refusal to make a cake celebrating a gender transition for Autumn Scardina. The court concluded that Scardina's case was improperly filed and should have been appealed through the state's Court of Appeals initially, rather than being brought anew in district court. This decision marks the end of Phillips' 12-year legal battles over his refusal to create cakes that conflict with his Christian beliefs, including a prior case concerning a same-sex wedding cake. The court did not address the substantive issues of free speech and anti-discrimination, leaving unresolved questions about balancing religious beliefs and LGBTQ+ rights. Scardina, who argued that the cake's message rather than her transgender identity was the refusal's basis, had previously pursued the case after a settlement between Phillips and the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The ruling was closely divided, with a 4-3 decision, reflecting ongoing debates around these contentious issues.