Posted on 03/17/2015 6:45:47 AM PDT by C19fan
A community is rallying around an Ohio couple who says they were denied wedding services because of their sexual orientation. Jenn Moffitt and her partner Jerra Kincely were on the hunt in February for a wedding videographer. She sent an email asking video production business "Next Door Stories" in Bexley, Ohio, if it would cater to a same-sex couple. She was shocked by the response. "Unfortunately at this time I do not offer services for same-sex weddings," the owner of business wrote in an email Moffitt shared with CNN.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Most of the time a vendor does not know the configuration of a couple. It is almost always just one person calling and you dont find the other persons name til much later on. So most times you have to reveal your availability right up front in the phone inquiry. Most email inquiries learn of your availability much sooner than you learn of the spouse affliction.
So don’t blame the vendor, they are being tricked.
Just curious from a legal perspective...maybe there’s some FR lawyers out there.
If these people are charged with “discrimination” I have to ask, how can the court come to that conclusion when the court itself does not have a legal definition of what marriage is? If the definition depends on what the next person thinks then it means nothing, how can the court rule on something that isn’t defined?
Ethically, if polygamous marriage were allowed, I’m sure not catering to the “marriage” would also be discriminatory. Where does the line get drawn? When do religious freedoms trump bizarre rituals of others? It’s as if they don’t even matter.
To me, catering to such events is coerced speech and forced servitude, you’re being REQUIRED to entire a CONTRACT to perform lengthy work that you morally object to because of religious reasons. It is not the same thing as not selling an existing cake (or drink or whatever) to somebody because they’re black/gay/whatever. As soon as you’re talking about a contract you should be able to accept/reject for ANY reason you choose.
In a sane world, as long as there was another option for the homos to patronize, any attempted lawsuit would be summarily dismissed.
The better question is ...
Since Ohio doesn’t allow gay marriage, how can there be discrimination?
"Sorry, I'm booked that day".
"What about any day during the week of...?"
"Sorry, I'll be on vacation that week."
FMCDH(BITS)
Answering the email asking if you do weddings for same sex couples was just dumb. I get it she was trying to be nice and professional and answer the email and all that jazz.... but it was still dumb.
Here is the problem. They will first call claiming to be heteros then not make a commitment. Then call back for real and catch the owner lying.
You don’t know of this was the very first email in an email thread. I suspect it was the second or third before she learned the couple’s disposition.
I get dozens of email inquiries and the first emails ask for price and availability. I know nothing about the spouse at that time.
Don't answer any such email if you in fact don't want to do business with that person. That is sound legal advice.
I’m a conservative christian, and I’m a realtor. I can’t deny people service because of race, religion, orientation etc etc. Or I will lose my license. I would do business with the couple and list their house for them. And I would spend every minute I have with them telling them about Jesus Christ, his forgiveness, his love, and what damage sin has done to our world. That Christ came because of our sins etc etc. I’m technically self employed and free to share my christian faith with everyone I come in contact with. There is no boss that is going to fire me for it.
Ohio doesn’t permit same sex marriage.
According to their website they don’t travel out of state.
So...answering these girls with they don’t do same sex weddings AT THIS TIME is a legitimate answer.
Next Door Stories LLC is a provider of quality wedding videography services to the central Ohio and Columbus area. Welcome; Weddings; Packages; Portfolio; Photography
Then a better answer from the vendor is “It is my understanding that Ohio does not permit same sex weddings”. That’s if she’s just dying to answer the email.
I think we’re on the same page here for the most part.
I do not understand how these girls can make big deal of this, media hype etc. when what they are shopping for isn’t actually legal in the State of Ohio...yet.
What it does demonstrate is the level of targeting these activist folks will go too. The level of their hatred and bigotry for anyone who finds their lifestyle distasteful, let alone sinful.
You can’t discriminate against an illegally performed wedding.
Agree.
Right to refuse service?
Sorry.
Right to free speech/free expression?
Uh uh.
Now that alcoholism is defined as a disability, do liquor stores and bars have to legally serve drunks?
Since Americans have a right to own guns, are guns stores forced to sell to ANYONE who walks in?
I’m just curious.
I won’t bake wedding cakes for gay couples. No way. Not happening.
It appears the time is here when Christians have to go in the closet.
They should do what the rest of the world does when unsatisfied with the stance of an entrepreneur- boycott.
But what they really want to do is criminalize Christianity.
Okay... I'll step down off the soapbox. Sorry....
Actually, polite, kind people respond to all business requests. We need to outgrow that instinct to treat potential predators kindly. When we get a "request" that could be a stealth setup for a lawsuit, we need to respond tactically:
"Of course. Tell me about the event . . . My rate for events like that is $4,000 an hour, and I'd be happy to discuss my availability once you have set a date." I used to charge liberals double, then triple what I charged candidates I approved of, but they still hired me and I hated helping their campaigns despite the huge profits. I still replied though, even once I stopped taking jobs for liberals, just telling them that I was not available during that time period.
"While I have no professional experience in that setting, I would not dream of discriminating. Let me know the date you are planning, and I'll be happy to comply if we are able to reach an agreement on rates and dates." or "I photographed a pretend wedding between two horses for a little girl, so I have experience with pretend weddings. Let me know your schedule, and I'll let you know my rates." Anyone serious will find someone else, and it's only predators setting up a lawsuit who would follow up. Then either (1) have a conflict once they set a date, or (2) agree to their date and cancel at the last minute due to an unexpected personal issue. Just make sure the contract specifies that there is no penalty beyond returning the deposit in case of nonperformance.
We need to stop losing these cases. Gays have a right to pretend their "marriages" are real, just like transgenders have a right to pretend that surgical mutilation can change a man into a woman or the reverse, but we cannot permit them to compel decent people to participate. We need to plan ahead and avoid giving cause for a lawsuit, while also planning ahead and avoiding active support for these games of make-believe.
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