Backlash mounts against the Supreme Court's refusal to hear Christian photographers' appeal
By refusing to hear an appeal, the Supreme Court let stand a New Mexico court ruling that states business owners must participate in same-sex "wedding" or commitment ceremonies, even if doing so violates their faith.
The high court refused to hear Elane Photography v. Willock, in which the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that Christian photographers Elaine and Jonathan Huguenin were wrong to decline photographing the 2007 commitment ceremony of lesbian couple Vanessa Willock and Misti Collinsworth.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins called the dismissal "a gross violation of the First Amendment."
Perkins seemed to agree such bills were the next step to protect the freedom of conscience.
"The burden to protect the inalienable rights that are the cornerstone of our political success as a nation now falls to state and federal legislators," he said. "Americans cannot afford to be silent any longer to this affront to our First Freedoms."