Louisville, Kentucky photographer Chelsey Nelson has filed a suit against the city of Louisville because she wants to be "free" to refuse to photograph same-sex weddings.
The catch?
Not one same-sex couple has ever asked her.
Louisville introduced a Fairness Ordinance in 1999 that:
"protects LGBT+ people from discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity in housing, employment and public accommodations. It also protects all people from discrimination in the same areas based on religion, national origin, age, sex, colour and race."
Nelson's suit claims that the ordinance is a violation of her first amendment rights to be a bigot and is filing an injunction to be released from ever being "forced" to photograph a same-sex wedding.
The fact that no same-sex wedding has ever asked her to seems immaterial to her thought process.
Nelson's lawsuit reads:
"Louisville is using the threat of limitless damages, compliance reports, posting of notices, and court orders to force Chelsey to create photographs for, blog about, and participate in solemn ceremonies she disagrees with — same-sex wedding ceremonies."
"We don't force LGBT web designers to create content condemning same-sex marriage for a church, or force Muslim printers to design anti-Islam flyers for a synagogue."
"The First Amendment protects these speakers' freedom. Louisville should not take the same freedom away from Chelsey just because she wants to speak in favour of one particular view on marriage."
Once again--no same-sex couple has ever asked for her services.
The lawyers helping Nelson are from Alliance Defending Freedom, designated by the Southern Poverty Law Centre as an anti-LGBT+ hate group.
"Founded by some 30 leaders of the Christian Right, the Alliance Defending Freedom is a legal advocacy and training group that has:"
"-Supported the recriminalization of homosexuality in the U.S. and criminalization abroad"
"-Defended state-sanctioned sterilization of trans people abroad"
"-Linked homosexuality to pedophilia"
"-Claims that a 'homosexual agenda' will destroy Christianity and society"
"ADF also works to develop 'religious liberty' legislation and case law that will allow the denial of goods and services to LGBT people on the basis of religion. Despite its regular defamation of LGBT people, the group has managed to win special advisory status at the United Nations, in the European Union, and with the Organization of American States."
"Since the election of President Donald Trump, the ADF has become one of the most influential groups informing the administration's attack on LGBT rights working with an ally in Attorney General Jeff Sessions."
The case has yet to move to trial.
Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images
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