Photographer fined $6600 for failing to film homosexual "wedding."

Judges are supposed to interpret laws narrowly if a broader interpretation would potentially encroach on religious freedom. For example, in NLRB v. Catholic Bishop of Chicago (1979), the Supreme Court refused to apply the National Labor Relations Act to religious schools, even though the NLRA does not expressly exempt such schools, because subjecting them to the Act’s requirements might violate Constitutional religious freedom guarantees.

But the New Mexico Court of Appeals did just the opposite on May 31 in Elane Photography v. Willock. It effectively nullified religious exemptions contained in state law, and expanded the reach of a state gay rights law that bans discrimination in “public accommodations,” in order to uphold an agency’s order that an Evangelical Christian wedding photographer pay $6600 as a penalty for having refused to film a lesbian couple’s “commitment” ceremony.

Hat tip to Jeff G. at Protein Wisdom.

I suppose a government that can force you to buy health insurance can force you to take pictures. A message has been sent; exercising your right will cost you time and money.