On Wednesday, December 10, the Center for American Progress released a landmark report making the case for fully inclusive non-discrimination laws at every level of government throughout the United States. From page 63-64 of the report the New Mexico State Supreme Court ruled in 2013: The Huguenins [owners] are free to think, to say, to believe, as they wish; they may pray to the God of their choice and follow those commandments in their personal lives wherever they lead.6 Indeed, they may indicate their opposition to marriage equality by marching in a public protest, putting up a sign in their business’s window supporting a “no” vote in a marriage equality referendum, or so express themselves in social media. All of these are protected as free speech. What they cannot do is deny their public services to someone who asks for them and who is in a protected category of people. Also on page 64 from the same ruling: In the smaller, more focused world of the marketplace, of commerce, of public accommodation, the Huguenins have to channel their conduct, not their beliefs,so as to leave space for other Americans who believe something different. That compromise is part of the glue that holds us together as a nation, the tolerance that lubricates the varied moving parts of us as a people. The sense of respect we owe others, whether or not we believe as they do, illuminates this country, setting it apart from the discord that afflicts much of the rest of the world. In 2014, the Supreme Court of the United States refused to hear the case, leaving in place the ruling of the State Supreme Court of New Mexico. https://americanprogress.org/issues/lgbt/report/2014/12/10/102804/we-the-people/
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:47:45 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015