Christian Wedding Photographer Loses Case Against Gay Couple
A Christian-identifying wedding photographer who refused to photograph a same-sex wedding has had her lawsuit dismissed in New York, reported NBC News.
Emilee Carpenter filed the federal lawsuit in April, claiming that New York's nondiscrimination laws forced her to choose between honoring her faith by not photographing same-sex weddings and paying resulting fines of up to $100,000.
"U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr. of Western New York dismissed Carpenter's claims Monday," NBC reports, saying that "the Court is not persuaded."
"The crux of Plaintiff's claims is that her photography is the product of her unique artistic style and vision," Geraci ruled. "Thus, an exemption for Plaintiff's unique, non-fungible services would necessarily undermine, not serve, the State's purpose, as it would 'relegate [same-sex couples] to an inferior market' than that enjoyed by the public at large."
Carpenter argued that to photograph the same-sex couple violates her First and 14th amendment rights and sued the state in protest. The lawsuit read, "Just as the government cannot compel a lesbian baker to create a cake condemning same-sex marriage or an atheist playwright to wax positively about God, New York cannot force Emilee to convey messages she objects to."
However, LGBTQ advocates applauded the court's decision as "support for marriage equality has never been higher."
"Non-discrimination laws protect every citizen and send a signal that all are welcome, and that's good for business," Sarah Kate Ellis, the president and CEO of GLAAD, said in a statement Thursday.