Lexington Judge Rules In Favor Of Shop That Refused To Print Pride Shirts
A Lexington judge has ruled in favor of a shop that declined to print T-shirts for a gay pride festival.
The shop in Lexington, Kentucky had been contacted by the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization to print shirts for the 2012 Lexington Pride Festival but were turned down by the shop owners.
Fayette County Circuit Judge James Ishmael overturned a decision made by the Human Rights Commission in 2014 that the print shop, Hands On Originals, violated a city law that bans discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The judge’s ruling stated that the shop’s refusal was not based on sexual orientation but on “the message advocating sexual activity outside of a marriage between one man and one woman.”
According to Judge Ishmael, the Human Rights Commission went beyond its statutory authority in making a decision in favor of the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization.
Christopher Bauer, President of the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization, said that he was disappointed in the ruling.
“We feel that this is just a reminder that there are still many out there who feel that their citizenship is worth more than that of members of the [gay, lesbian, and transgender] community.”
Both the Human Rights Commission and the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization are considering an appeal of the ruling.
Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/2015/04/judge-rules-in-favor-of-kentucky-printer-who-refused-to-print-gay-pride-t-shirts-video.html
