Summary
Christian photographer Amy Lawson owned her own studio in Madison, Wisconsin. Amy’s Christian faith has always undergirded her work, which means that there are certain messages that she cannot express through her photography. But both a city ordinance and a state law denied Amy the freedom to choose the messages she expresses—under threat of severe penalties. After ADF filed a lawsuit on Amy’s behalf, city and state officials backed down and agreed not to apply their laws against Amy’s business. A county circuit court then formally ruled that neither the city ordinance nor the state law applied to Amy’s business, resolving the case in Amy’s favor and protecting her business going forward.
Case Timeline
- March 2017: ADF attorneys filed a lawsuit against state officials and Madison on Amy Lawson’s behalf.
- August 2017: A county circuit court issued an order declaring that Amy and her business were not subject to the state and city laws at issue in the case.
Commentary
Why a Madison photographer is challenging laws regulating her artistic freedom
Jonathan Scruggs
March 09, 2017