SCOTUS ducks gay photography case

[Capt. Slo-mo]

http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-supreme-court-photographer-gays-20140404,0,126351.story#axzz2yDZW2RBv

A NM Supreme Court ruling that a religious-based refusal to shoot a wedding was discriminatory is not going to be reviewed by the SCOTUS folks, meaning the ruling stands.

The photographer's argument was in two parts: she was religiously constrained to only shoot traditional marriage photos, and that she had the freedom to pick and choose which assignments she chose to accept.

As freelancers...any concern about this playing out into our arena? Most of us hardly ever turn down a paying gig, but does this in any way create a concern that saying no can be taken the wrong way?

 

[svp]

I think it's the same as someone calling you and saying "hey I need you next Saturday at 2p to shoot my porn film" and you saying no. I could care less what the courts say. Just like a business can refuse service, I can refuse a shoot.

 

[Capt. Slo-mo]

The difference being, now that SCOTUS didn't weigh in; if someone wanted to book me for something I found objectionable, I would never tell them so. I would just be already booked on that date.

Note that I can really envision this being a problem for me, although I once passed years ago on shooting a Playboy bunny audition tape.

 

[AKinDC]

Just like a business can refuse service, I can refuse a shoot.

But that's the whole point...a business can't legally refuse service because of race, color, religion, national origin, or disabilities. And now, apparently, sexual orientation. And the courts are saying you can't refuse shoots for these reasons either.

Obviously, you can still refuse any shoot as long as you don't give a reason, and it can't be proven that you have a discriminatory track record.

 

[svp]

I see the point but agree there are ways around this ruling.

 

[svp]

I don't think this is the end of this debate. Certainly if you are a Christian photographer and agree to shoot other non-Christian weddings such as Hindu, Jewish, etc. then you can't claim shooting a gay wedding violates your religious beliefs. However, if you are the sole owner of a company that has a Christian name and you only specialize in Christian weddings, rejecting all others, not just gay weddings, then I think you have a stronger case and would see a different ruling.