A Christian law firm will appeal a ruling by the New Mexico Human Rights Commission fining a photographer who refused to take photos of a homosexual commitment ceremony.
Elaine Huguenin and her husband Jon, who co-own Elane Photography in Albuquerque, New Mexico, are both Christians. So when a lesbian couple asked them to photograph their "commitment ceremony" in Taos, the Huguenins politely refused. In response, Vanessa Willock filed a complaint with the New Mexico Human Rights Commission claiming the Huguenins discriminated against her because of her "sexual orientation." On Wednesday, the Commission found the Christian couple guilty of discrimination under state anti-discrimination laws and ordered them to pay more than $6,000 in costs.
p.1 #2 · Christian Photographers Fined $6,000 For Refusing to Shoot Lesbian Commitment Ceremony
I discriminate. If you tell me you're getting married in a venue I hate at 12 noon in mid-August ... "I'm booked that day". Somehow I think this fits. I have many friends and relatives in the GLBT community and support gay marriage (even photograph the 'freedom to marry' events for free). But I'm a true conservative and want government out of my life. Don't tell me who I can marry ... and don't tell me whose wedding to shoot.
p.1 #3 · Christian Photographers Fined $6,000 For Refusing to Shoot Lesbian Commitment Ceremony
The US Constitution gives us freedom of religion. This act is a violation of that right. There's another parallel, expressed as, "You have a perfect right to swing your fist, but it ends at my nose."
George
p.1 #4 · Christian Photographers Fined $6,000 For Refusing to Shoot Lesbian Commitment Ceremony
Absolute puke. Christian, Atheist, Muslim whatever. If I choose not to shoot your wedding for any reason I choose it's just that MY choice. I have a friend here locally that refuses to work for lawyers, (she got burn and can't shake it and now won't ever shoot for lawyers again.) To each his/her own.
The photographers mistake was their absolute honesty. They could have said they anything in way of excuse.
p.1 #5 · Christian Photographers Fined $6,000 For Refusing to Shoot Lesbian Commitment Ceremony
Xtians have been hiding their ignorance and intolerance behind a so-called "good book" for long enough. Had an atheist photog declined to do a religious ceremony he'd have been sued for discrimination so fast everyone's head would spin. It's about time the tables have been turned.
p.1 #8 · Christian Photographers Fined $6,000 For Refusing to Shoot Lesbian Commitment Ceremony
> Xtians have been hiding their ignorance and intolerance behind a so-called "good book" for long enough. Had an atheist photog declined to do a religious ceremony he'd have been sued for discrimination so fast everyone's head would spin. It's about time the tables have been turned.
Have you ever turned down a job? for any reason? Would you like that right taken away?
Let this be a lesson to all. Unless you want to wind up on the front page, the standard decline is ... "we're booked that day"
p.1 #9 · Christian Photographers Fined $6,000 For Refusing to Shoot Lesbian Commitment Ceremony
There are many facets of this type of problem that are wrong, but not in this case. For instance, if 2 lesbians are in a car crash, a Christian doctor or nurse should be NEVER able to say "I can't operate on them, it's against my religion." But in this case, there is no distress or danger or immediate need, so I just would say to the lesbians, "Tell everyone who cares to listen that that particular photography outfit is run by narrow-minded lemmings, and find a more caring, human photographer."
Sooner or later, Elane Photography will be called upon to explain the narrowmindedness of this decision. That's Life!
p.1 #10 · Christian Photographers Fined $6,000 For Refusing to Shoot Lesbian Commitment Ceremony
You're right - bad business call on their part ... but they can regroup under a new name & new URL and nobody will be the wiser. No big deal really. It's more for the ACLU and the churches.
p.1 #11 · Christian Photographers Fined $6,000 For Refusing to Shoot Lesbian Commitment Ceremony
edrud wrote:
There are many facets of this type of problem that are wrong, but not in this case. For instance, if 2 lesbians are in a car crash, a Christian doctor or nurse should be NEVER able to say "I can't operate on them, it's against my religion." But in this case, there is no distress or danger or immediate need, so I just would say to the lesbians, "Tell everyone who cares to listen that that particular photography outfit is run by narrow-minded lemmings, and find a more caring, human photographer."
Sooner or later, Elane Photography will be called upon to explain the narrowmindedness of this decision. That's Life!
Sorry i had to chip in with this comment being such a bad comparison. If 2 lesbians are in a car crash a Christian paramedic is obliged to save their lives because human life has value and it is right to save life. There is no moral issue her. However, these Christians refused to photograph a gay wedding because no doubt they believe that a gay wedding is a contradiction of terms, an oxymoron, and bottom line morally wrong.
p.1 #12 · Christian Photographers Fined $6,000 For Refusing to Shoot Lesbian Commitment Ceremony
I think that you should have a right to refuse to participate in something that goes against your moral conviction. If not, then you are granting the government the right to decide what it is okay for you to believe and what you may or may not participate in.
If the ceremony was for another religion, and during the ceremony all present were REQUIRED to participate in the prayer to the deity being worshiped, would the Christians have a right to refuse to provide services? This would be a refusal based upon religious belief, but is this discrimination?
p.1 #14 · Christian Photographers Fined $6,000 For Refusing to Shoot Lesbian Commitment Ceremony
Well, now that the gloves have come off, I suppose the photographers just might want to shoot the weeding after all...but with a .357 magnum instead.
I hope the photographers find a great pro bono lawyer and counter sue and win big time... enough to buy a truck load of L lens!!!
I believe in being respectful, but what a load of crap. If the ACLU were to somehow completely disappear from the face of the planet, I believe that the US as a whole would be better off. I don't need a bunch of ACLU jackoff lawyers making decisions that dictate how I want to live my life.
So if this is the precedence, beware because all of our future moral decisions will be made in fear of retribution, or simply be a big lie to cover up for how we really feel!
p.1 #16 · Christian Photographers Fined $6,000 For Refusing to Shoot Lesbian Commitment Ceremony
tomKphoto wrote:
> I have a friend here locally that refuses to work for lawyers
I have a friend who won't rent an apartment to anyone with a waterbed ... or pets.
The local tenant legislation covers both situations: no pet clauses are illegal and the tenants have to pay for any damages.
p.1 #17 · Christian Photographers Fined $6,000 For Refusing to Shoot Lesbian Commitment Ceremony
Sam Hassas wrote:
Absolute puke. Christian, Atheist, Muslim whatever. If I choose not to shoot your wedding for any reason I choose it's just that MY choice. I have a friend here locally that refuses to work for lawyers, (she got burn and can't shake it and now won't ever shoot for lawyers again.) To each his/her own.
The photographers mistake was their absolute honesty. They could have said they anything in way of excuse.
You can fire someone for any reason, or no reason - but not for a discriminatory reason.
p.1 #19 · Christian Photographers Fined $6,000 For Refusing to Shoot Lesbian Commitment Ceremony
While I may have not handled this situation in the same manner as the photographer in question, it does bring a few questions to mind.
"narrow-minded lemmings" - what a tolerant point of view. I am constantly amazed by those who wish all of society to be tolerant to a minority point of view, yet label those who may have an opposing point of view based on their faith and not the current popular politically correct opinion as something less than kind.
I wonder if the photographer in question had been say Muslim, Buddhist, even atheist or any other faith other than Christian, and refused the job on the same grounds, would there have been a complaint filed?
This current age we live in is quite something. We are not allowed to have a plaque of the Ten Commandments on the wall at the Court House, but tax dollars can be used to build a foot bath for religious purposes (at least at one state school). Didn't see the ACLU jump in and stop that move.
Too bad that if the photographer in question had lied as to her motives for not taking on the client, there more than likely would have been no legal action. Dishonesty is the best policy?
I also wonder, who gained more? The complainant who sought "justice" or the photographer who was honest and stood up for her beliefs?
p.1 #20 · Christian Photographers Fined $6,000 For Refusing to Shoot Lesbian Commitment Ceremony
butchM wrote:
I wonder if the photographer in question had been say Muslim, Buddhist, even atheist or any other faith other than Christian, and refused the job on the same grounds, would there have been a complaint filed?
Likely yes. Most people never complain. How many folk moved to the back of the bus before Rosa Parks said no.
These are the people that truly advance society. Like the people that bravely take the camera off of 'P' mode and do some cross processing.
