Supreme Court Rulings on LGBTQ Discrimination and Student Debt Relief will have Long-Lasting Effects on the Small Business Community

“The U.S. Supreme Court handed down two major decisions today that will have lasting impacts on the small business community. 

First, we’re disappointed the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a business that denied service to same-sex couples, circumventing a Colorado state law that bars businesses from discriminating against the LGBTQ community. Our previous research found that small business owners strongly believe businesses should not be able to deny goods and services to LGBTQ customers based on the owner’s religious beliefs or because of their right to free speech or free artistic expression, and that nondiscrimination policies are good for their state’s business climate and their own business’s bottom line. Despite the decision in this specific case, we urge policymakers to continue to do all they can to ensure businesses are operating in a non-discriminatory fashion. 

Secondly, the court’s decision to block the Biden Administration’s student debt relief program will harm small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs who wish to start and grow thriving businesses. This is particularly true for younger entrepreneurs and those in underserved communities who struggle to achieve financial security due to a lack of savings. According to our polling, nearly half of young adults paying off student debt who own or have plans to own a business say their student loan payments have impacted their ability to start a business. We urge Congress to step in and pass reasonable student loan debt relief as soon as possible."

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