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Christian business owners are pursuing a new legal strategy to oppose laws they say would force them to use their artistic talents to promote same-sex marriage.
In one case, a graphic designer is suing the state of Colorado over a nondiscrimination law she says would impede her free speech rights if she were forced to design announcements for same-sex marriages. A separate complaint by owners of an art studio in Phoenix challenges a local ordinance on the same basis.
Both lawsuits differ from recent legal battles involving Christian business owners who had been penalized for declining to sell cakes, flowers or photography services for same-sex weddings.
Instead, these lawsuits are “pre-enforcement challenges” — complaints filed against a law perceived by a challenger as a threat to his or her rights before the law has been enforced.
Both lawsuits come as conflict intensifies over the intersection of civil rights for gays and lesbians and the rights of religious freedom for Christian business owners who seek exemptions from offering same-sex wedding services.
The outcomes of both cases could have important ramifications, as courts across the country grapple with this difficult balance.
To read the full article on Deseret News, click here.
NoelNovember 6, 2016
This goes beyond religious rights. It goes to fundamental individual choice. It used to be tolerated if a shop owner posted a sign: "No Shoes, No Shirts, No Service" Nobody complained when it was enforced. The homosexual group is using a lifestyle to cause extreme discrimination, which is against the law. Those who claim their rights have been abiged are in no way being discriminate against. They can continue to live as they wish and they cannot in moral law, cause me to change my lifestyle and choices which is to serve or not serve anyone. And another thing. The males of that persuasion are not gay. They seem to be angry people, angry against the rest of humanity. if we do not agree with them. I am gay and am not a homosexual. They are discriminating against me by demeaning my lifestyle as I prefer to be gay. and happy.
vickieOctober 24, 2016
AS I SEE IT...we live in a country that allows us to make choices...in this case ones choice seems to over ride another...it is a hard thing to grapple with. I say in stores you have to sell to anyone...sell the cake to whomever...they are our brothers and sisters...it all stops though where it takes your rights away ....as in...designing things for gender issues or abortion issues...it seems to me that people who fit in the category of gender issues would ask the owner if they are willing to do what they want and if the owner says no...respect that and move on to someone who will take care of them...there are many who would. don't make such a fuss wanting to make or force the issue with someone who just is following their conscious.