Posted on 08/23/2013 8:40:17 PM PDT by marshmallow
In a 5-0 decision, the New Mexico Supreme Court upheld a lower court determination that it is illegal for a photography business owned by Christians to refuse to photograph a same-sex wedding ceremony--even though New Mexico law does not permit same-sex marriage.
The courts based their decisions on the text of the New Mexico Human Rights Act (NMHRA), which makes it illegal for “any person in any public accommodation to make a distinction, directly or indirectly, in offering or refusing to offer its services . . . to any person because of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, spousal affiliation or physical or mental handicap.”
Referring to the business’s owners, Justice Richard Bosson said in his concurring opinion that the “Huguenins today can no more turn away customers on the basis of sexual orientation--photographing a same-sex marriage ceremony--than they could refuse to photograph African-Americans or Muslims.”
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicculture.org ...
I saw the mayor of Seattle on Greta Van Susteren's show last night say that it was a store-owner's right to refuse service to customers who had guns.
How is it a right in Washington to choose to serve a customer or not, but it's not a right in New Mexico to do the same?
-PJ
That and a lot of “Gee, sorry, I am taking that day off”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.