NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A federal court dismissed a case this week that was brought by a New York wedding photographer who refused to photograph same-sex marriages, Attorney General Letitia James announced Thursday.
The ruling, which James' office said is a "statewide victory" for the LGBTQ+ community, came after Elmira wedding photographer Emilee Carpenter filed a lawsuit in October against the Office of the Attorney General, the state Division of Human Rights, and the Chemung County District Attorney’s Office, arguing that the state's anti-discrimination laws violated her right to refuse to photograph weddings for same-sex couples.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York sided with James in a decision that is said to ensure all New Yorkers are entitled to equal access to the public marketplace under the law.
"This court decision is a huge victory in our pursuit to ensure that every New Yorker has equal access and equal protections under the law,” James said in a statement.
She continued, "The LGBTQ+ community is an integral part of New York, and no New Yorker should be excluded or turned away from a business or denied a service because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Love is love, which is why my office will always fight to ensure that all New Yorkers are treated equally under the law."
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