Black Community News News and Commentary for Christians
Emilee Carpenter has spent years fighting for her right to provide the services she wants to provide, not services the government thinks she should.
The Christian photographer and blogger photographs weddings but draws the line at homosexual “weddings.” Taking on such clients would conflict with what the Bible teaches about marriage and sexuality.
Carpenter filed a pre-enforcement lawsuit against New York over a law that would penalize her with fines, a suspended business license, and possible jail time if she excludes homosexual “weddings” as part of her services.
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), Carpenter’s legal counsel, announced in May that a federal court barred the state from enforcing the so-called non-discrimination law against her. Last week, Carpenter and the state agreed on a settlement: New York will not enforce the law against her and will pay $225,000 in attorneys’ fees.
Ruling in Carpenter’s favor, the federal court in May cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis (2023). In a narrow decision, the court barred the state of Colorado from enforcing a public accommodation law against a Christian web designer who declined to provide services for homosexual “weddings.”
“The U.S. Constitution protects Emilee’s freedom to express her own beliefs as she continues to serve clients of all backgrounds and beliefs,” said Bryan Neihart, ADF senior counsel. “New Yorkers can now enjoy the freedom to create and express themselves, a freedom that protects all Americans regardless of their views.”
Photo credit: Alliance Defending Freedom
