US: Turning down ‘gay wedding’ jobs the same as racism, judge rules
A federal judge has shot down a ‘pre-enforcement challenge” to Minnesota ’s law that denies the right of Christian businesses and professionals to decline providing wedding services to gay couples. “A government that tells you what you can’t say is bad enough. But a government which tells you what you must say is even worse,” said John Tedesco, lead attorney representing the plaintiffs. “You can’t force people to say things that violate their beliefs.” But Chief District Judge John Tunheim disagreed with that principle in his lengthy 63-page ruling. The judge said turning away gay and lesbian couples is “conduct akin to a ‘White Applicants Only’ sign.” Preemptive filing to avoid legal jeopardy Carl and Angel Larsen, owners of Telescope Media Group that has a clearly stated Christian mission , wanted to extend their company’s services to include wedding videography. But before doing so, they wanted to make sure they would not be placing their livelihood in jeopardy if t