Bakersfield, CA – Attorneys with Thomas More Society and Becket have submitted a petition for writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court in Cathy Miller v. California Civil Rights Department, seeking justice for cake designer Cathy Miller, owner of Tastries Bakery in Bakersfield, California.

Cathy, who delights in creating beautiful cakes for her customers, has faced relentless legal attacks from the State of California since 2017, for one simple reason: her unwillingness to violate her faith by creating custom cakes for same-sex wedding celebrations. “All I want is to serve my neighbors as the Gospel of Jesus Christ calls me to without being forced to create messages that violate my beliefs,” said Cathy Miller.

Represented by Thomas More Society attorneys at trial, Cathy initially prevailed and her First Amendment rights were upheld in 2018 and 2022. But California officials continued to pursue Cathy, intent on ignoring her religious freedom rights, branding her a bigot for holding traditional Christian beliefs. A California appeals court reversed the trial court’s decision, which had ruled that Cathy was protected under the First Amendment, and the California Supreme Court then refused to hear her appeal in May 2025.

“California is forcing Cathy to surrender her faith to the state’s political agenda, taking away her ability to operate her business in alignment with her values and bring joy to others through her talented work,” said Charles LiMandri, Partner at LiMandri & Jonna LLP and Thomas More Society Special Counsel. “Despite Cathy’s initial victory, appeals by the State of California have now left Cathy’s religious freedom rights hanging in the balance. We are hopeful the U.S. Supreme Court will recognize this injustice and restore her right to live out and practice her faith.”

“For eight long years, California has treated Cathy like an enemy—dragging her through court, smearing her name, and trying to force her to violate her faith,” said Adèle Keim, Senior Counsel at Becket. “Enough is enough. We’re asking the Court to put a stop to this bullying campaign and let Cathy design in peace. Justice demands no less.”

The petition urges the nation’s highest court to reaffirm the constitutional protections of free speech and religious liberty for people of faith, and to put an end to California’s legal campaign against Cathy.

Read the Petition for Writ of Certiorari submitted to the United States Supreme Court, here.