04/07/2014 // West Palm Beach, Florida, US // JusticeNewsFlash // Justice News Flash // (press release)

Washington – The Supreme Court has declined to hear the case of New Mexico photographers who claim their free speech rights were violated by a lower court’s ruling. As reported by Reuters, the high court refused on Monday to hear the case of Elane Photography, whose owners claim they were within their free speech rights to refuse to shoot a same-sex couple’s commitment ceremony.

The case stems from a complaint filed by Vanessa Willock with the New Mexico Human Rights Commission in 2006. Willock asked the photography company to take photos of a ceremony for her and her female partner, and her request was denied. The couple’s commitment ceremony was held in 2007, and a different photography company was used.

The owners of the company, Elaine and Jonathan Huguenin, oppose same-sex marriage. The state previously found that the company’s refusal violated the New Mexico Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. The Supreme Court upheld the state’s decision in a ruling last year.

Gay marriage is New Mexico is now legal.

This report is provided by Justice News Flash – Washington Legal News

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