Relatively Unknown Court Victory Could Be A Big Step Toward LGBT Equality

[Fearless]

In what could be deemed a battle of civil rights, a New Mexico court has determined that the right to discriminate on the basis of religion does not trump LGBT rights.

Like most great civil rights victories, it started small. Vanessa Willock of New Mexico and her same-sex partner planned a commitment ceremony. Part of the planning included hiring a photographer. Willock contacted Elaine Photography. Their response was that they do “not photograph same-sex weddings.”

Then Willock’s partner contacted the photography studio via email without disclosing their orientation. She received a price list and an invitation to meet.

Willock filed a complaint with the New Mexico Human Rights Commission, who ruled that Elaine’s Photographer and their owners, Elaine and Jonathan Huguenin, owed the couple $6,600 in legal fees. Willock was not seeking damages...

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/06/09/relatively-unknown-court-victory-could-be-a-big-step-toward-lgbt-equality/

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[msongs]

1. religious people want to run inquisitons and holocausts without interference thanks, so

please allow them to discriminate against YOU on account of their religion, while you have no recourse.

[pinto]

2. In this instance looks like judicial recourse was clear. Kudos to the court.

The court disagreed. The three judge panel ruled that the photography studio was a “public accommodation,” and had no right to discriminate.

“Elane Photography avoids addressing the critical factor that a photography business does offer its goods or services to the general public as part of modern commercial activity,” Judge Timothy Garcia wrote for the court. “In response, Willock specifically emphasizes the numerous jurisdictions that have adopted a broad definition of ‘public accommodation’ and have included businesses ‘providing services to the general public,’ and have not recognized a special exception for nonessential, artistic or discretionary businesses.”

When the studio hypothetically asked if they would be required to photograph a Ku Klux Klan rally, the court said no. ”The Ku Klux Klan is not a protected class. Sexual orientation, however, is protected.”

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/06/09/relatively-unknown-court-victory-could-be-a-big-step-toward-lgbt-equality/

[William769]

3. Recommended.

[Amimnoch]

4. Rec'd as well.

Just a note, though. I went on a search for this business online, for their own web address, and for sites where you can search up for this business to spam bad reviews and make sure anyone who's looking for a photographer knows the hateful nature of this business. I didn't find much on Elane photography in New Mexico, but I did find sites for Joan Elane Photography.

It isn't the same business, and not even in the same state. Several people have already insulted this innocent business in Detroit. It's not the same business at all. If you are looking to do like i was looking to do, and make sure this business is well marked on the internet, please make sure you do mark up the correct business.