A photo studio’s refusal to photograph a same-sex couple’s commitment ceremony violates the New Mexico Human Rights Act, the Court of Appeals has ruled, rejecting the Albuquerque studio’s argument that doing so would cause it to disobey God and Biblical teachings.
It was the third loss for the studio, and victory for Vanessa Willock.
Willock first contacted photographer Elaine Huguenin of Elane Photography in fall 2006 about taking pictures of a “same-gender ceremony” and was informed the studio only handled “traditional weddings.” When her partner contacted the studio without revealing her sexual orientation, the studio responded with a price list and sent a follow-up email.
The opinion follows a national trend, according to the Pennsylvania law professor who represented Willock on the appeal.
Related articles
- Appeals court rules DOMA unconstitutional (politico.com)
- Gay marriage fight likely heads to high court (bostonherald.com)
- Rep. Steve Rothman Introduces Bill To End Anti-Gay Jury Discrimination (thinkprogress.org)
