In a stunning and much-needed victory for Christians, a federal court ruled in favor of a Christian wedding photographer in its decision to not compel any individual, based on their religious views, to participate in same-sex weddings.
For context, an ordinance in the city of Louisville, Kentucky prevented photographer Chelsea Nelson “from writing and publishing any indication or explanation that she wouldn’t photograph same-sex weddings, or that otherwise causes someone to feel unwelcome or undesirable based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.”
As such, since homosexual couples fell under the category of a protected class, Nelson could neither limit her potential customer base nor decline a request should one be made. The plaintiff fought back in courts saying this ordinance violated her own civil rights as it compelled her to violate deeply-held religious beliefs. In addition to her victory to be able to choose her clients, the court also awarded her $1 in damages, which she sought as well.
A video shared by The Christian Post on X briefly described the legal victory for Nelson, providing an overview of the ruling handed down by the Donald Trump-appointed Benjamin Beaton which stated that the aforementioned Louisville ordinance could not be enforced as written given it in turn violated her own rights.
“A federal court has ruled in favor of Louisville wedding photographer Chelsea Nelson, affirming that she cannot be compelled to photograph same sex weddings against her religious beliefs. Judge Benjamin Beaton, a Trump appointee, concluded that enforcing the city’s non discrimination ordinance would violate Nelson’s first amendment rights,” the narration stated.
“The decision follows the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in 303 creative V A lenis, which held that the government cannot force Americans to engage in, quote, expressive activity, to compel speech. Represented by Alliance Defending Freedom Nelson was also awarded nominal damages. She celebrated the ruling, declaring, quote, The government can’t force Americans to say things they don’t believe,” it continued.
“ADF Senior Counsel Brian Neihardt added, quote, free speech is for everyone, calling the decision a victory for artistic and religious freedom. Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed this video, please like and subscribe to support Christ centered journalism,” the video concluded.
Watch that video below:
https://x.com/ChristianPost/status/1974097108212052049
According to the ruling, there were two provisions found within the ordinance that wer at odds with individual freedoms. The first was written as preventing ““the denial of goods and services to members of protected classes,” which includes people with same-sex attraction. The second was previously reported on, which stated in part preventing anyone “from writing and publishing any indication or explanation that she wouldn’t photograph same-sex weddings.”
Judge Beaton ruled that both of these provisions served to “limit Nelson’s freedom to express her beliefs about marriage.” The court found that Nelson “suffered a First Amendment injury” because she had to limit promotion of her business and censor her work in the event it attracted customers for whom she could not faithfully work.
“The government can’t force Americans to say things they don’t believe, and state officials have paid and will continue to pay a price when they violate this foundational freedom,” Nelson said in a statement through her attorneys at Alliance Defending Freedom following the ruling. “The freedom to speak without fear of censorship is a God-given constitutionally guaranteed right,” she added.