Editor,
The recent ruling by the New Mexico Human Rights Commission against an Albuquerque wedding photographer is worrisome on several counts.
When Vanessa Willock asked Elaine Huguenin to photograph her same-sex commitment ceremony - not a wedding, mind you - Huguenin declined because of religious convictions.
Willock took action against her, alleging discrimination because of sexual orientation. The commission sided with Willock and compelled Huguenin to pay over $6,600 in legal fees and court costs.
First of all, any noncritical, nonmonopoly business should be at liberty to refuse to do business with anyone it chooses.
A progressive political consultant should have the right to refuse to assist a conservative politician, even if he's gay. A Muslim plumber should have the right to refuse to work on the drains in a porcine slaughterhouse even if the owner is a lesbian. And a wedding photographer should have the right to refuse to photograph a ceremony of a type she believes to be immoral.
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Secondly, the commission exceeded its authority insofar as this case involves First Amendment rights, rights upon which the commission spat.
The ruling also violates the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act. It would be most interesting to see this case brought before the New Mexico Supreme Court.
The third area of concern here has to do with Willock's position. Willock, an attorney, is an equal employment opportunity compliance specialist for the Office of Equal Opportunity. Interestingly, the office brochure extols people to contact the office if they have concerns regarding unlawful treatment on the basis of, among other areas, religion.
Both Willock and the Human Rights Commission clearly believe that sexual preferences trump religious beliefs. There is probably no point in contacting the office if you think you've been discriminated against on the basis of religion.
I suspect Willock is a strong proponent of diversity, at least to the point of giving it lip service. Like so many of those who like to babble on about diversity, she clearly does not believe in diversity of beliefs.
Rather than take legal action against Huguenin, she could have simply taken her business elsewhere. There is certainly not a shortage of photographers in this town.
That would have allowed for a diversity of beliefs, something Willock obviously will not tolerate. So, who in this case is really exhibiting intolerance and discrimination?
John Bauer
UNM staff
