Written by Don Byrd
While we wait for the Supreme Court’s ruling on the question of government invocations in the case of Town of Greece v. Galloway, today’s Orders included notice that the Court denied the petition in the case of Elane Photography v. Willock. In that case, a photographer was found to have violated the civil rights laws of New Mexico by refusing to provide services for a same-sex wedding. Elane Photography argued the application of non-discrimination laws in such a case violated religious freedom rights of conscience, but was unsuccessful in the New Mexico Supreme Court.
The Court’s denial today leaves that decision intact.
Elane Photography is the case largely credited with setting off a firestorm over the issue of rights of conscience. Many state legislators pushing religious freedom acts in recent months cited the case as a central rationale.
