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Won State Supreme Court

Brush & Nib Studio v. City of Phoenix

Joanna And Breanna Drawing

Summary

A Phoenix art studio that specializes in hand-painting, hand-lettering, and calligraphy for weddings and other events is challenging a city ordinance that forces the studio’s two owners to use their artistic talents to promote same-sex ceremonies. The ordinance also forbids them from publicly expressing the Christian beliefs that prevent them from doing so and that require them to create art celebrating only marriages between one man and one woman.

Case Documents

Court
Title
Date
State Supreme Court
9/16/2019
State Supreme Court
12/10/2018
State Supreme Court
7/9/2018
Appellate Court
6/7/2018
Trial Court
10/25/2017
Trial Court
4/13/2017
Appellate Court
3/17/2017
Trial Court
9/20/2016
Trial Court
5/12/2016

Additional Resources

One Page Summary

James Gottry: The war on wedding vendors is ultimately a war on free thought (The Federalist, 2016-11-03)

James Gottry: How the government should punish Colin Kaepernick’s anti-patriotism (The Federalist, 2016-10-12)

Jonathan Scruggs: Forced speech is un-American (Arizona Republic, 2016-10-10)

Jonathan Scruggs: Brush & Nib suit about artistic freedom (Phoenix Business Journal, 2016-06-03)

Jonathan Scruggs: Phoenix artists sue rather than create art for same sex weddings (Arizona Republic, 2016-06-03)

Phoenix Municipal Code Section 18-4: Prohibited acts

Phoenix Municipal Code Section 18-7: Penalties

Phoenix Municipal Code Section 18-5: General penalty; continuing violations

Pre-enforcement Challenges Backgrounder

Case Profiles

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Jonathan Scruggs
Jonathan Scruggs
Senior Counsel, Vice President of Litigation Strategy & Center for Conscience Initiatives
Jonathan Scruggs serves as senior counsel and vice president of litigation strategy and the Center for Conscience Initiatives with Alliance Defending Freedom.