Lawsuit against nonbias rule quashed

Judge: Phoenix ordinance does not violate free speech, religion laws

PHOENIX — An Arizona judge has rejected a wedding shop’s challenge to a Phoenix ordinance that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Joanna Duka and Breanna Koski, the owners of Brush & Nib Studio, claimed in the lawsuit filed in 2016 that the city’s ordinance would compel them to create invitations or artwork for same-sex couples.

Serving these couples, the suit said, would conflict with their religious beliefs on marriage and violate their freedoms of speech and religion, The Arizona Republic reported.

Judge Karen Mullins rejected all of the owners’ arguments this week and confirmed that the city’s ordinance does not violate the state’s free speech and free exercise of religion laws.

“The government may permissibly regulate the sale of goods and services by businesses that sell those goods and services to the general public. This is true even if the goods and services at issue involve expression or artistic creativity,” the judge said in the written order.

Arizona-based Alliance Defending Freedom filed the lawsuit on behalf of the owners. Jonathan Scruggs, an attorney with the group, said he was disappointed by the judge’s decision, and they plan to appeal it. He said the lawsuit was about protecting American artists from being forced to created art that’s inconsistent with their views.

A nondiscrimination ordinance has been on the books in Phoenix since 1964, but the city expanded it to include protections on sexual orientation and gender identity in 2013.

Phoenix spokeswoman Julie Watters said the city considers the judge’s decision “another victory that confirms Phoenix’s nondiscrimination ordinance is legal and valid.”