Religious Liberty Does Not Apply to Businesses - Ricochet.com

Apparently.? The New Mexico Court of Appeals has upheld a judgment against a Christian-owned photography studio that declined to take pictures for a gay couple's commitment ceremony.? Now, you might think that the owners of a business like a photography studio have a perfect right to accept or decline clients as they see fit.? But if you think that, you haven't been keeping up with "public accommodation" law.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 introduced the concept of "public accommodations" to ban discrimination in places like hotels and restaurants, i.e., places that provide the necessities of life like food and shelter.? But?in New Mexico (as in most states, alas), a public accommodation is now defined as?"any establishment that provides or offers its services, facilities, accommodations or goods to the public," i.e., any business.? And so, if you have the nerve to run a business, you must forsake your religious principles if they might?be deemed insensitive to gays, lesbians, or other protected categories (which, depending on the state, can include the obese, smokers, people of Appalachian origin, etc. etc.).??

Is it not depressing that a small-time photographer, who wanted nothing more than to photograph the subjects of her choosing, has a judgment against her for violating the politically-correct sensibilities of the state "human rights commission?"

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