Posted on 04/09/2008 5:40:53 PM PDT by Jay777
ADF attorneys represent a Christian photographer being tried under state antidiscrimination laws for declining to photograph a same-sex “commitment ceremony.”
“Christians shouldn’t be penalized for abiding by their beliefs. The state cannot force unwilling people to promote a message they disagree with and thereby violate their conscience,” said Lorence. “The state’s prosecution violates our client’s First Amendment rights. The government cannot make people choose between their faith and their job.”
A same-sex couple asked Elaine Huguenin, co-owner with her husband of Elane Photography, to photograph a “commitment ceremony” that the two women wanted to hold. Huguenin declined because her Christian beliefs are in conflict with the message communicated by the ceremony.
The same-sex couple filed a complaint with the New Mexico Human Rights Division, which is now trying Elane Photography under state antidiscrimination laws for sexual orientation discrimination. We always hear statements like, “If we don’t watch out, things that are happening in Europe and Canada will come to our shores.” Well, it’s already here. We are already losing our liberty despite the First Amendment. THIS is exactly why legislation like ENDA and the “hate crimes” bill need to be opposed and are so obviously a threat to our fundamental rights.
Where was the ACLU on this one you may ask?
(Excerpt) Read more at stoptheaclu.com ...
If Obama or Clinton gets elected, this sort of thing will become much more common.
Australia is looking better and better.
I am willing to bet this gay couple purposefully sought out a Christian photographer in hopes of, or in order to, prompt just such a response and lawsuit.
Higher court....here it comes....
Why didn’t the company just say, “sorry we’re all booked for that weekend”?!
Your ping list will want to know about this.
Among other things, this is discrimination. They could have easily found another photographer.
You know, it may be cheaper to take the d@mn pictures and have an accident in the darkroom.
The Bill Richardson administration strikes again.
Maybe they booked it before they found out it was a homosexual wedding. In any case, they should not be forced to lie. They should have the right to discriminate.
Sad day when everyone on the left has rights.....
definitely looks that way. Nobody would hire a photographer who was uncomfortable, especially for a "once in a lifetime" event. The pictures would come out poorly, or the photographer would miss photogenic shots. It would be a waste of money.
Not after they took everyone's firearms away.
You mean in the computer. Most photographers are digital now.
"Having an accident" sets them up for a huge liability suit.
Australia? Are you kidding? They’re even more crazy in this manner.
All businesses need to post a disclaimer on their advertisements and place of business:
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE TO ANYBODY!!!
I photographed weddings for years and learned something:
1) Find more about the “couple”
2) Interview the couple, determine if I like them.
3) Ask for their wedding date. If I don’t like them, the date is taken.
I used to ask the date first, but learned it was not a good tactic.
I'm not a lawyer, but I would not expect that to work. It would be nice if it did.
Except they wimped out and let the government disarm them.
I would have taken the photos and replaced them with photos of Fred Phelps.
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