Posted on 06/07/2006 1:00:15 PM PDT by dukeman
Liberty Counsel Files Suit on Behalf of Christian Businessman Who Refuses to Reproduce Pro-Homosexual Videos
Arlington, VA – Today, Liberty Counsel filed suit in Arlington Circuit Court on behalf of Tim Bono and Bono Film and Video, Inc. against Arlington County Human Rights Commission (“Commission”), Arlington County Board, and Arlington County, Virginia, seeking Declaratory Judgment, Preliminary and Permanent Injunctive Relief, and Damages. The lawsuit challenges the authority of the Commission to order Bono Film to duplicate two pro-homosexual videos provided by lesbian activist Lilli M. Vincenz.
Tim Bono was contacted by Lilli Vincenz via e-mail to reproduce two documentaries entitled Gay and Proud and Second Largest Minority. Mr. Bono informed Ms. Vincenz that his company does not duplicate material that is obscene, could embarrass employees, hurt the company’s reputation or that runs counter to the company’s Core Values and Christian and ethical values.
Ms. Vincenz filed a complaint with the Commission under the County’s nondiscrimination ordinance, which was amended to include “sexual orientation.” On April 13, 2006, the Commission entered a “Decision” directing Bono Film to “provide the requested duplication service at the complainant’s expense or in the alternative to assist the Complainant in locating a suitable facility where this service can be provided at the Bono Film and Video’s expense.”
The lawsuit filed today challenges the authority of the Commission to enter the order. The so-called “Dillon’s Rule,” under Virginia law, prohibits local government from passing or enforcing nondiscrimination laws that are not authorized by the state. The state does not list “sexual orientation” as a protected civil right or class. The suit would take away all authority from the Commission to enforce “sexual orientation” nondiscrimination laws. The lawsuit will also affect several other Virginia counties that have illegally passed “sexual orientation” antidiscrimination laws. The suit also alleges violations of Mr. Bono’s freedom of speech, free exercise of religion, and sections 12 and 16 of the Virginia Constitution.
Erik Stanley, Chief Counsel of Liberty Counsel, stated: “As a newspaper is not required to run every proposed ad, so a duplicator or printer is not obligated to reproduce every proposed copy. Mr. Bono does not have to reproduce a customer’s hate speech, obscenity or pornography, nor may a customer hijack Mr. Bono’s business and force him to promote a homosexual agenda. Since the state of Virginia does not recognize ‘sexual orientation’ as a civil right, neither Arlington County nor any other county may enforce such laws. This lawsuit will rein in renegade counties that have intentionally violated state law. Neither Arlington County nor any other local government entity is above the law.”
Several years ago, the Virginia Attorney General issued an opinion concluding that local “sexual orientation” laws violated state law.
We can only hope. I truly hope that we have no freepers who would defend the state ordering a private businessman to do business with somebody he chooses not to. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Lunacy
This isn't a discrimination against sexual orientation. It is a decision based on content of the videos in question. They didn't decline because the individual is homosexual, but because of the content of the material they wish to duplicate.
I don't know about that. They knew exactly what they were doing when they tried to get a Christian business to reprint this stuff. This is a test-case, with the ultimate goal of getting "sexual orientation" onto Virginia's "civil rights" list.
GO Liberty Counsel!!!!!!
Oh boy! Washington State, here we go. :o(
If Bono could prove that the lesbian is a smoker and he turned the business down because of that, well--he has an open and shut case!
DING!DING!DING!...
PING
In other words, "one way or the other, the court orders you to violate your religious beliefs."
Bet they wouldn't order it if he were a muslim.
The only problem would be if there was an existing contract, and there was a material breach of the termination clauses.
This is so typical of homosexuals and the rest of the so-called "tolerant" left. Instead of respecting this man's beliefs and moving on to someone who would reproduce this crap for them, they instead resort to trying to persecute him
Because homosexuals can't reproduce on their own...
Congratulations Mr. Bono and Liberty Council for standing up for what's right.
You know, on a broader scale, I'm not too worried. People have been trying to "crush" Christians since Christ, but we've managed to survive. Heck, throughout history, the church has been spiritually strongest when it's facing persecution.
I hope it back fires but they didn't just "take" their videos there. He was chosen. IMO.
They don't want us to 'tolerate' or accept them, they want to force us to give up our faith and morals and join them. And they've had a lot of success with younger Americans.
I thought homosexual videos couldn't be reproduced.
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