After Masterpiece Cakeshop Ruling, Yelp Adds 'Open To All' Filter

The business-rating site Yelp has released a new feature that allows business to mark themselves "open to all...regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression." The marker will be prominently displayed on the website and app.

In the statement notifying users about the new option, Yelp referred to the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case as the impetus for creating the category.

"Yelp is joining forces with Movement Advancement Project and more than 175 partner organizations on the Open to All campaign to build awareness and understanding of the importance of nondiscrimination laws and defend the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All," SVP of Public Policy Luther Lowe wrote. "Launched in response to the recent ruling on the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case, The Open to All campaign aims to step in where legislation falls short and help protect consumers from discrimination."

Among the businesses already pre-identified as "open to all" are New Day Craft, Luna Grill, and Garden Fresh restaurants.

Yelp also features a "gender-neutral restrooms" filter.

Businesses are being encouraged to take the pledge to maintain a welcoming and safe environment for employees and customers, not discriminate or deny individuals goods based on a number of marginalized identities, and display an Open to All sign in their storefronts.

"Every day, consumers face varied degrees of discrimination," wrote Lowe. "Beyond the LGBTQ+ community, this also unfortunately exists for many minority communities in our country and we are equipping consumers with the information they need to confidently patronize any place of business."