US Supreme Court denies appeal of anti-gay New Mexico photographer

In 2006, Elane Photography in New Mexico refused to provide photography services for a commitment ceremony for Vanessa Willock and Misti Collinsworth.

The couple sued the photographer on the basis of violating the state's public accommodation laws.  Elane Photography felt protected on religious grounds (because takes photos of a lesbian commitment ceremony somehow means you "approve" the event).  Elane Photography lost it's case at the state supreme court level.  An appeal was filed with SCOTUS.

Today, the US Supreme Court denied the request by Elane Photography. In order to take up a case, at least four Supreme Court justices must agree to consider the case.

That decision means the lawsuit train has stopped in this case. The original ruling stands.

Chris Johnson reports at the Washington Blade:

Had the court taken up the case, justices could have found a constitutional right across the country for individuals to discriminate against LGBT people or refuse services for same-sex weddings ceremonies on the basis of religion.

Anti-gay groups had pointed to the incident as a reason to enact laws in various states to allow individuals and business to refuse services to gay people without fear of reprisal, such as the controversial “turn away the gay” bill recently vetoed by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer and signed into law by Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant. Other bills along those lines are pending in numerous states — Kansas, Mississippi and Georgia — but have seen resistance going forward.