Photographer
Fined for Refusing to Shoot Commitment Ceremony

The New Mexico Human Rights Commission ruled in favor of Vanessa Willock, who in 2006 filed suit against photographer Elaine Huguenin for refusing to photograph her commitment ceremony because of her personal religious beliefs, the Associated Press reported.

The commission's April 9 ruling instructed Huguenin to pay $6,637 for Willock's attorneys fees. In an e-mail, both Willock and her attorney, Julie Sakura, said they were pleased with the verdict.

However, the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative Christian legal organization, is planning to appeal the ruling. ADF senior counsel Jordan Lorence said in a statement that Huguenin as a Christian woman would not have photographed anything that went against her religion, such as showing abortion in a positive light or photographing a horror movie. Refusing service because of religious beliefs is a right protected by the First Amendment, argues Lorence.

Lorence said he will take the appeal "as far as it will go." (The Advocate)