National News
NM court upholds gay discrimination ruling
Posted: Jun 5, 2012 11:42 AM by AP
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The New Mexico Court of Appeals has upheld a ruling that a professional photographer who refused to take pictures of a gay couple's commitment ceremony violated state anti-discrimination laws.
The Albuquerque Journal reports the court agreed on Thursday with a previous ruling, ruling the photo studio is considered public, similar to a restaurant or store.
The New Mexico Human Rights Commission ruled in 2008 that Elane Photography violated the state Human Rights Act by discriminating against Vanessa Willock on the basis of sexual orientation. The photography studio says its refusal was not an act of discrimination, but a reflection of the owners' religious and moral beliefs.
The Alliance Defense Fund, a Washington, D.C.-based legal alliance of Christian attorneys and others, says it plans to appeal.
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