WTF: 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.

This person said it best:

This is wrong!! Where did we get the idea that we can force people to work for us even if they find what we are forcing someone to do objectionable? What's next? Will it be forcing a clergyperson to perform our domestic/marriage unions? This is a private business, not a government tax payers service. This is the wrong path and I really hope that the judgment in this case gets overturned. Wrong-headed is wrong-headed.

Ron, Bryan, Texas

I can only guess Vanessa Willock is not more than a sorry ass dyke who at the time of her sorry ass commitment ceremony needed more money. This is why many straights hate us. The dumb ass judge should have never allowed this to go to trial.



These dyke is need a life…



Some info on this bitch

Vanessa Willock
has been with UNM since 1997 and is currently an EEO Compliance Representative with the Office of Equal Opportunity where she investigates claims of discrimination and sexual harassment. Ms. Willock earned a Bachelors of Business Administration from UNM in 1989 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado in 1994. She was previously an attorney with an Albuquerque law firm specializing in insurance defense matters and is a certified mediator.

From the site of box turtle bulletin:

The Decision and Final Order of the Human Rights Commission lays out the facts leading to the determination.

Vanessa Willock sent to Elane Photography the following e-mail on September 21, 2006, a year in advance of her ceremony.

We are researching potential photographers for our commitment ceremony on September 15, 2007 in Taos, NM.

This is a same-gender ceremony. If you are open to helping us celebrate our day we'd like to receive pricing information.

Thanks

Elaine Huguenin responded

Hello Vanessa,
As a company, we photograph traditional weddings, engagements, seniors, and several other things such as political photographs and singer's portfolios.
-Elaine-

Willock wrote again

Hi Elaine,
Thanks for your response below of September 21, 2006. I'm a bit confused, however, by the wording of your response. Are you saying that your company does not offer your photography services to same-sex couples?
Thanks,
Vanessa

Huguenin in conclusion

Hello Vanessa,
Sorry if our last response was a confusing one. Yes, you are correct in saying we do not photograph same-sex weddings, but again, thanks for checking out our site!
Have a great day.
-Elaine

In November 2006 Willock's partner, Misty Collinsworth, contacted Huguenin and - without mentioning the sex of the partners - inquired about services. Huguenin responded enthusiastically and sought to follow up.

On December 20, 2006, Willock filed a charge of discrimination against Elane Photography.

The decision included two questions: did discrimination occur based on sexual orientation, and was Elane Photography a public accommodation. The commission found the answer to both questions to be in the affirmative.

Elane's attorneys argued that Ms. Huguenin's religious convictions provided exclusion to the New Mexico Human Rights Act. The commission found that questions of the constitutionality of the NMHRA was "not before the New Mexico Human Rights Commission for determination in this proceeding and, accordingly, are not addressed here.

Then there is this:

Willock filed a complaint, and at the hearing she explained how she felt."A variety of emotions," she said, holding back tears. "There was a shock and anger and fear. . . . We were planning a very happy day for us, and we're being met with hatred. That's how it felt."

WE are tired that the others try to force us to comply with their ways, and here we are doing the fucking same. I can only hope that Willock and her bitch break up very soon..