Photographer sued for refusing service

Robin Usagani · Jun 6, 2012

Welcome to ThePoliticForum!

NikonDude · Jun 6, 2012

The problem with gay people is that they want everyone else to think being gay is "cool", like it's some sort of lifestyle. Then they proceed to shove it in your face (so to speak).

If two men want to go at it in the privacy of their own homes, then so be it. I could care less.

However the problem is that they want to take it outside of the home, the want to turn it into a status.

Can we be naked in our own house? Yes. Can we be naked in public? NO!
Can we have sex in our own house? Yes. Can we have sex in public? NO!

Sexuality is something that should not be public. That's the issue I have with gays. I don't go around saying "I love boobs and butts".

I have (not by choice), been around gay people. If they want to act like humans, then I don't mind them. It's the ones that act "flamboyant" that I disgust.

I don't like coke, but I don't mind being around a six pack of coke. But if a can of coke started telling me that "coke is cool, your wrong to hate coke", then I'm going to stomp the can flat.

We were born with different shaped reproductive organs for a reason. It's like plugging a fan into the wall. But the fan does not plug into another fan. It does not work at all.

If two men are able to legally get married, and never reproduce, then I should be able to legally marry a rock.

unpopular · Jun 6, 2012

If I ever do photography professionaly, I'm going to have a strict no Christians policy.

Kerbouchard · Jun 6, 2012

Espike said:
Kerbouchard said:

Okay, back to photography. Lets say a certain photographer has trouble with skin tones or lighting of black people. They know starting out that they won't be able to do the job properly, so they refuse. Was this discrimination? Possibly. Or was it a photographer who knew he didn't have the skills or experience necessary?

How about a hair stylist? I can think of many black hair stylists that are not comfortable working on white people's hair, and vice versa. Is that discrimination?

Or even something a little more close to the article. Let's say I am asked to do an Indian wedding...the full shebang. It can be 3 to 7 days of coverage and I've never done one before, don't know where I will need to be, and don't know what the important parts are. If I say no, can I now be sued for religious discrimination?

Click to expand...

I say no, because those are limitations based on your lack of experience, or technical ability.

Okay, so you would say a lack of experience is a qualifying reason to say no. Well, lets say the studio that was sued doesn't have any experience around same-sex couples. When I shoot a wedding, I know where the bride and the groom are at all times. Everything from the getting ready stuff, to the places they are going to be, a general idea of what they are going to be doing, what moments to look for, how and in what order they are going to approach the officiant, and pretty much everything else. It's a very scripted affair. At the reception, I know which person is going to be wearing the garter, how the first dances are going to line up, etc.

For a same-sex commitment ceremony, all that goes out the window. I have no idea what happens at one of those, so for me, would I be just in refusing based on a lack of experience?

bentcountershaft · Jun 6, 2012

I'm trying to steer myself back to the photography aspect but I can't help but laugh at the "it's against nature" argument. Makes me want to start a petition to outlaw plastic.

unpopular · Jun 6, 2012

Photoes said:
The problem with gay people is that they want everyone else to think being gay is "cool", like it's some sort of lifestyle. Then they proceed to shove it in your face (so to speak).If two men want to go at it in the privacy of their own homes, then so be it. I could care less. However the problem is that they want to take it outside of the home, the want to turn it into a status.Can we be naked in our own house? Yes. Can we be naked in public? NO! Can we have sex in our own house? Yes. Can we have sex in public? NO! Sexuality is something that should not be public. That's the issue I have with gays. I don't go around saying "I love boobs and butts".I have (not by choice), been around gay people. If they want to act like humans, then I don't mind them. It's the ones that act "flamboyant" that I disgust. I don't like coke, but I don't mind being around a six pack of coke. But if a can of coke started telling me that "coke is cool, your wrong to hate coke", then I'm going to stomp the can flat.

You do have a right to say you like boobs and butts, even if it's impolite. I agree that when people are sexual in public I find it offensive, but that doesn't excuse discrimination, no more than me having a "no Christians" policy because evangelicalism makes me uncomfortable, an ant-isemite because Jews make him or her uncomfortable, or a racist because blacks make him or her uncomfortable.

jwbryson1 · Jun 6, 2012

Photoes said:
The problem with gay people is that they want everyone else to think being gay is "cool", like it's some sort of lifestyle. Then they proceed to shove it in your face (so to speak).

If two men want to go at it in the privacy of their own homes, then so be it. I could care less.

However the problem is that they want to take it outside of the home, the want to turn it into a status.

Can we be naked in our own house? Yes. Can we be naked in public? NO!
Can we have sex in our own house? Yes. Can we have sex in public? NO!

Sexuality is something that should not be public. That's the issue I have with gays. I don't go around saying "I love boobs and butts".

I have (not by choice), been around gay people. If they want to act like humans, then I don't mind them. It's the ones that act "flamboyant" that I disgust.

I don't like coke, but I don't mind being around a six pack of coke. But if a can of coke started telling me that "coke is cool, your wrong to hate coke", then I'm going to stomp the can flat.

We were born with different shaped reproductive organs for a reason. It's like plugging a fan into the wall. But the fan does not plug into another fan. It does not work at all.

If two men are able to legally get married, and never reproduce, then I should be able to legally marry a rock.

Jesus H. Christ. They're just people. Give them a break.

Haya.H · Jun 6, 2012

Photoes said:
The problem with gay people is that they want everyone else to think being gay is "cool", like it's some sort of lifestyle. Then they proceed to shove it in your face (so to speak).

If two men want to go at it in the privacy of their own homes, then so be it. I could care less.

However the problem is that they want to take it outside of the home, the want to turn it into a status.

Can we be naked in our own house? Yes. Can we be naked in public? NO!
Can we have sex in our own house? Yes. Can we have sex in public? NO!

Sexuality is something that should not be public. That's the issue I have with gays. I don't go around saying "I love boobs and butts".

I have (not by choice), been around gay people. If they want to act like humans, then I don't mind them. It's the ones that act "flamboyant" that I disgust.

I don't like coke, but I don't mind being around a six pack of coke. But if a can of coke started telling me that "coke is cool, your wrong to hate coke", then I'm going to stomp the can flat.

Why are people comparing two things that have NOTHING in common?
If a gay couple cant hold hands in public neither should a straight couple, if a gay couple cane kiss in public neither should a straight couple.
who say gay people are out having sex in public? Who said they are out naked in public? Those rules apply to EVERYONE gay or straight. AS should the privilege of being married and being committed to each other. Banning gay marriage or banning them for anything is not gonna stop them from being together nor is it gonna stop them from being gay, your just taking away the rights of another human.

jake337 · Jun 6, 2012

So wait, if I start my own business I am forced to take ever client that walks through the door? How have I read signs that say "have the right to refuse service for any reason" before?

yerlem · Jun 6, 2012

Photoes said:
The problem with gay people is that they want everyone else to think being gay is "cool", like it's some sort of lifestyle. Then they proceed to shove it in your face (so to speak).

If two men want to go at it in the privacy of their own homes, then so be it. I could care less.

However the problem is that they want to take it outside of the home, the want to turn it into a status.

Can we be naked in our own house? Yes. Can we be naked in public? NO!
Can we have sex in our own house? Yes. Can we have sex in public? NO!

Sexuality is something that should not be public. That's the issue I have with gays. I don't go around saying "I love boobs and butts".

I have (not by choice), been around gay people. If they want to act like humans, then I don't mind them. It's the ones that act "flamboyant" that I disgust.

I don't like coke, but I don't mind being around a six pack of coke. But if a can of coke started telling me that "coke is cool, your wrong to hate coke", then I'm going to stomp the can flat.

We were born with different shaped reproductive organs for a reason. It's like plugging a fan into the wall. But the fan does not plug into another fan. It does not work at all.

If two men are able to legally get married, and never reproduce, then I should be able to legally marry a rock.

then you shouldn't say you dislike gay people, you should say you dislike inappropriate people, shouldn't you?

The bit about the rock I'm gonna ignore, but the fact that you are comparing a human being to an inanimate object just states how desperate you are to find arguments agains equal rights.

Kerbouchard · Jun 6, 2012

jake337 said:
So wait, if I start my own business I am forced to take ever client that walks through the door? How have I read signs that say "have the right to refuse service for any reason" before?

No, you are still free to refuse white males. Anybody else and you could face a lawsuit.

bentcountershaft · Jun 6, 2012

Photoes said:
The problem with gay people is that they want everyone else to think being gay is "cool", like it's some sort of lifestyle. Then they proceed to shove it in your face (so to speak).

If two men want to go at it in the privacy of their own homes, then so be it. I could care less.

However the problem is that they want to take it outside of the home, the want to turn it into a status.

Can we be naked in our own house? Yes. Can we be naked in public? NO!
Can we have sex in our own house? Yes. Can we have sex in public? NO!

Sexuality is something that should not be public. That's the issue I have with gays. I don't go around saying "I love boobs and butts".

I have (not by choice), been around gay people. If they want to act like humans, then I don't mind them. It's the ones that act "flamboyant" that I disgust.

I don't like coke, but I don't mind being around a six pack of coke. But if a can of coke started telling me that "coke is cool, your wrong to hate coke", then I'm going to stomp the can flat.

We were born with different shaped reproductive organs for a reason. It's like plugging a fan into the wall. But the fan does not plug into another fan. It does not work at all.

If two men are able to legally get married, and never reproduce, then I should be able to legally marry a rock.

My wife can't have kids so I guess our marriage is invalid as well. I'll be sure to tell her when I get home after weaving my way through the hordes of gays having sex with each other on the street.

Haya.H · Jun 6, 2012

jake337 said:
So wait, if I start my own business I am forced to take ever client that walks through the door? How have I read signs that say "have the right to refuse service for any reason" before?

No but you have to respect them and decline them as you would any other person.

unpopular · Jun 6, 2012

Jake - no, it doesn't. However you cannot deny service on the sole basis of certain criteria as defined by state and federal law. You can discriminate against dirty clothes, economic status, if they are wearing a hat inside or not (provided it is not a part of religious dress), cowboys, heavy metal fans, but you can't decriminalize against race, religion, gender, disability certain age criteria, national origin and in some jurisdictions, sexual orientation.

However, it's bad practice to discriminate against anyone. For example, if you don't serve hippies, you may also be violating certain religious rights which are protected. For example, if you use dreadlocks as an indication someone is a hippy, you may be discriminating against members or the Rastafari Movement. Whether this was intended or incidental, it is still discrimination.