Posted on 08/23/2013 6:48:09 AM PDT by markomalley
A commercial photography business owned by opponents of same-sex marriage violated New Mexico's anti-discrimination law by refusing to take pictures of a gay couple's commitment ceremony, the state's highest court ruled unanimously Thursday.
Elaine Huguenin, who owns Elane Photography with her husband and is the business's principal photographer, refused to photograph the ceremony because it violated her religious beliefs.
The court held that "a commercial photography business that offers its services to the public, thereby increasing its visibility to potential clients" is bound by the New Mexico Human Rights Act "and must serve same-sex couples on the same basis that it serves opposite-sex couples."
"Therefore, when Elane Photography refused to photograph a same-sex commitment ceremony," the court concluded, the photographer "violated the NMHRA in the same way as if it had refused to photograph a wedding between people of different races."
The court rejected arguments that the anti-discrimination law violated the photographer's right to free speech and the free exercise of religious beliefs.
(Excerpt) Read more at deseretnews.com ...
Rev 13:16-17 And he shall make all, both little and great, rich and poor, freemen and bondmen, to have a character in their right hand, or on their foreheads. And that no man might buy or sell, but he that hath the character, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
The principle was established in the 60’s when courts ordered restaurant owners to serve blacks.
But if it was a muslim photographer hired to photograph a pork BBQ party ......
PS - so why didn’t that couple just go to another photographer? They were just instigating is all.
Simply put, gay religion wins out over Christian religion.
America 2013.
Yes.
Speaking solely for myself, I don't want to give my business to those who don't want it.
I’d take the photos only by being paid UP FRONT, then when the pictures came out poorly, off color, out of focus, etc., Tough Sheit!
They are saying "screw your religious beliefs."
Obey or PAY!
It’s not a Christian issue. It’s a moral issue. An atheist should be allowed to say No as well.
This law also violates the 1st Amendment in regards to Freedom of Association which the SCOTUS has already ruled is precluded by the freedom NOT to associate. It’s “Settled Law”.
are you folking kidding me
what about the signs that say we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone?
OK fine, charge them 10K for their stupid sinful pics
Islam, gay, enviro, bestiality, pedophilia, all of them.
The vital difference being that it's not abnormal,or immoral,to be black whereas....
“that’s nice, dear” would be my response to the fedgov... and continue not providing service to whomever i wish
if i’m forced to provide my services without question... how am i any better then a cog?
most business owners run a business because they want to run things their way and not at the whims of those far less qualified to perform the job
I wonder if this applies to lawyers also. If you have something you want to sue someone for, and you pick a lawyer out of the phone book and discuss your beef with him, is he allowed to say no, he won’t take your case?
Art. II, Sec. 11. [Freedom of religion.]
Every man shall be free to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, and no person shall ever be molested or denied any civil or political right or privilege on account of his religious opinion or mode of religious worship. No person shall be required to attend any place of worship or support any religious sect or denomination; nor shall any preference be given by law to any religious denomination or mode of worship.
Could they become a private photograhy company - members only?
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