Apparently, in New Mexico, private business owners have no rights to serve whomever they choose and not to serve whomever they choose. Let me set up the story.
A photographer in Albuquerque was asked to shoot the wedding of a lesbian couple. (Gay marriage is not legal in New Mexico, but there is a statute that says a marriage performed in another state or country that is legal in that state will be recognized in New Mexico as valid) The photographer declined to take the job saying she only photographed traditional weddings and would not photograph a gay wedding.
The couple in questions reported the photographer to the New Mexico Human Rights Commission and the commission found that the photographer had discriminated against the couple and ordered her to pay nearly $7,000 in attorney’s fees.
Now, I am all for anti-discrimination laws to an extent. If someone refuses to hire a person or sell them a house. based on race, sexual orientation, etc. that is wrong and there should be protection against that. If a business refuses to serve someone for any reason, that is the business owner’s right. If a photographer doesn’t want to photograph a couple simply because they are gay, that is her right. And I guarantee if a gay photographer didn’t want to photograph straight couples, this situation would not occur. I also know that this is slightly contradictory with believing that a business cannot hire or not hire someone based on race, religion, age, but believing that that same business can choose who to serve based on the same criteria. However, if a business chooses not to serve me because I date women or because I am not a practicing christian, I have the same choice to take my business elsewhere. That is free enterprise at work.
I am all for equal rights, but I also believe a private business owner has the right to pick and choose the people that business serves.
Let this story be a lesson. If you are a private business owner and do not want to serve someone for any reason, just lie. Tell them you are busy, you don’t have the resources to accommodate them, etc. The truth will get you in trouble in New Mexico.
Just my thought for the day.
Here is a link to the story:
http://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/300004nm04-11-08.htm?splashtop1
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That is just bloody ridiculous. I have to agree 100% that if it had been a lesbian photog saying she wouldn’t take traditional wedding pictures that nothing would have been said. This is reverse sexism if ever I saw it.
Does this mean now that businesses can’t put up the “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service” signs. I mean after all, they are discriminating against white trash everywhere. Or the poor who can’t afford those types of things.
The actions of these two women only help to push back all the hard work that many gay couples have striven for in regards of equal rights. Just take your business elsewhere.
Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation
Anyway … nice blog to visit.
cheers, Mensurable.