Religious Rights and Homosexual Rights Collide

The New Mexico Supreme Court has agreed to consider an important case involving the conflict between anti-discrimination laws and religious freedom.

The case involves a Christian-owned photography company that was charged by the New Mexico Human Rights Commission with violating the state’s anti-discrimination laws. The photographer declined to shoot the commitment ceremony of a lesbian couple. The outcome of the case could have a powerful impact on the rights of Christian business owners to operate according to their beliefs.

The Human Rights Commission charged photographer Elane Hugeinin with sexual orientation discrimination and ordered her to pay more than $6,600 in attorney’s fees to the plaintiff. An appeals court upheld the rule. Hugeinin is now appealing to the New Mexico Supreme Court.