The wedding tradition of “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” has been around a long time, and is meant to provide a few tangible bits of good luck to a new couple. Something blue for fidelity and good fortune… something borrowed from another happy couple to jump-start the new couple down their marital path…
But for some devoutly religious merchants in the wedding business, some of today’s weddings are a little too new for their tastes.
One of major cases of the day is the New Mexico wedding photographer who refused to photograph the wedding of two women, claiming the newly state-sanctioned same-sex ceremony was in opposition to their (the photographers’) religious beliefs.
The studio in question is owned by Elaine and Jonathan Huguenin, who were approached by Vanessa Willock and Misti Collingsworth to photograph their ceremony. The Huguenins refused on religious grounds, Willock filed a complaint with the New Mexico Human Rights Commission, and the case has slowly been making its way up the legal channels. Many thought it would reach all the way to the highest court in the land.
But the Supreme Court has decided not to decide.
That leaves standing the decision of the New Mexico Supreme Court against the Huguenins’ studio. And it also leaves many legislators without what they feel would be a clear precedent in future cases.
As the debate over the definition of marriage continues, many of the “traditions” people hold dear may come into question. But maybe we can “borrow” a line from an old book near and dear to the hearts of so many: “Judge not, lest ye be judged.”
