In a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court sided with Smith, creating a foundation for state-sanctioned discrimination. Taken collectively, these decisions will all further exclude already marginalized groups from economic and educational opportunities, as well as access to public life. Many supporters of the SCOTUS rulings argue that gay and lesbian couples can simply patronize other businesses, be it web designers or bakers. On the individual level, understanding how the Supreme Court works, engaging with your community, and talking openly about what, exactly, these rulings mean for the people they most effect is a start. Very few people are unaffected by rulings that gut reproductive rights, affirmative action, student-loan relief, public amenities, and civil rights.