Can I refuse to shoot a couple, cermonoy or person for any reason legally?

pcunite wrote in post #5635966
Could I say, and show it on the website, that I only shoot heterosexual marriages as that is my style?



I agree that Discrimination is wrong. Partaking of something, a lifestyle that I have no interest in, on the other hand is different. A wedding is not a glass of milk being served to a customer.

No. If you say that, you'll be opening yourself WIDE open to a lawsuit. Think about it from the standpoint of a gay person, if they were to happen upon your website. "Oh, this guy only shoots straights, and won't even serve the gay community! Discrimination!" Even if it's not INTENDED to be discrimination on your part, they will see it as such. Perception is the key issue here. As Sapearl said before, weddings will have you encounter a WIDE range of diverse people, who come from all walks of life.

If I may be as so bold to ask, why do you have an issue with shooting gay weddings? I've shot a couple, and they were beautiful ceremonies, and the clients were very respectful and honest people. I'd shoot for them again, if given the chance.

Just make it cost prohibitive for that sort of thing so they go some where else. Say for you to take pictures like that it would cost a lot of money. I am sure they will go some where else. That is what I would do .

Ah, but if you do that, you're also discriminating against them. Raising one set of prices for a select group of people, and charging less for another group of people is hardly fair business practice. "I'll charge homosexual people X amount, but charge less for the heterosexual people cuz I just prefer to shoot them."

And still wouldn't solve the issue where even if you were to raise the prices that high, what if they COULD afford those prices?

Another political thread.

Of course you realize you would have to charge EVERYBODY that way then too, or open yourself up to a lawsuit.

SQMazda6 wrote in post #5636230
Just make it cost prohibitive for that sort of thing so they go some where else. Say for you to take pictures like that it would cost a lot of money. I am sure they will go some where else. That is what I would do .

Perhaps Sam but it has been pretty well contained I think and it does relate to his business.

While I think it IS somewhat political in nature, it has a bearing on a business practice. The OP needs to consider his professional reputation and how he should protect himself.

hortonsl62 wrote in post #5636269
Another political thread.

Then lets add that other chestnut to the mix, religeon.
Why not refuse to shoot on the grounds that it goes against your faith, offends your beliefs

Your beliefs have nothing to do with a business venture, believe what you will if you provide a service you provide it to everyone equally.

Tell that to millions in India, living in a caste system...

bildeb0rg wrote in post #5636365
Tell that to millions in India, living in a caste system...

We're getting off track here.

OP needs to determine how he wants to run his business fairly and equitably.

The OP is talking about US laws in reference to his business, he's been quite specific.

Here you go:

http://www.cbn.com/CBN​news/357084.aspx

So sure you can refuse. But you're setting yourself up for a lawsuit if you're not careful "how" you refuse.

hortonsl62 wrote in post #5636269
Another political thread.

Not really, it is a legitimate question for discussion and the discussion here has been civil and considerate so far.

For me it is the prospect of being forced to participate in a ceremony or event that you are opposed to for religious or moral reasons. You are not attacking them you are just not going to participate.

Consider this; Ministers that perform wedding ceremonies are licensed by the state. Can they be forced to violate the tenets of their religion? Can the church be forced to host the wedding in their chapel?

Conscientious Objectors are not forced to participate in the military.

The best advice so far has been to carefully word your refusal.

Skip I don't think a minister or chapel is really an appropriate analogy, a photography business has not taken a vow to any particular moral tenets nor do they stand as a representative of said tenets. They are a business like the dry cleaners and the real estate agency.