Summary
Elaine and Jonathan Huguenin of Albuquerque, New Mexico, declined to photograph a same-sex “commitment ceremony” because they could not in good conscience tell the story of a ceremony that defined marriage as something other than the union of one man and one woman. The requester filed a complaint against Elaine and Jonathan’s company, Elane Photography.
Unfortunately, the New Mexico Human Rights Commission, two state courts, and the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled against Elaine and Jonathan. In a concurring opinion, one of the justices said that violating their religious beliefs is “the price of citizenship” for the Huguenins. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the Huguenins’ case in 2014.
Thankfully, in 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court decided another ADF case, 303 Creative v. Elenis, which upheld the free speech rights of all Americans to express messages consistent with their beliefs.
Press Releases
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Govt punishment of NM photographer stands, compelled speech problem unresolved…for now
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Broad support for NM photographer reflected in new briefs filed with US Supreme Court
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Photographer asks Supreme Court: Is abandoning my freedom the ‘price of citizenship’?
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NM Supreme Court: Price of citizenship is compromising your beliefs
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NM Supreme Court will hear case of photographer fined for adhering to her faith
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ADF will appeal NM court’s decision against photographer -
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ADF to appeal court decision against NM photographer
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ADF files suit disputing N.M. commission’s ruling against Christian photographer -
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ADF to appeal N.M. commission’s ruling against Christian photographer
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