Won State Supreme Court

Brush & Nib Studio v. City of Phoenix

Two Phoenix artists challenged a city ordinance that forced them to use their artistic talents to promote messages they disagree with.

Joanna And Breanna Drawing
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Summary

A Phoenix art studio that specializes in hand-painting, hand-lettering, and calligraphy for weddings and other events is challenging a city ordinance that forces the studio’s two owners to use their artistic talents to promote same-sex ceremonies. The ordinance also forbids them from publicly expressing the Christian beliefs that prevent them from doing so and that require them to create art celebrating only marriages between one man and one woman.

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Press Releases

Case Documents

Court
Title
Date
State Supreme Court
Arizona Supreme Court opinion
9/16/2019
State Supreme Court
Arizona Supreme Court - Appellants' response to amici curiae
1/11/2019
State Supreme Court
Amicus Brief in support of the petition for review - Center for Religious Expression
12/20/2018
State Supreme Court
Amicus brief in support of petitioners - Arizona attorney general and attorneys general of other states
12/20/2018
State Supreme Court
Amicus brief in support of petitioners - Arizona state legislators
12/20/2018
More Documents

Additional Resources

One Page Summary

James Gottry: The war on wedding vendors is ultimately a war on free thought (The Federalist, 2016-11-03)

James Gottry: How the government should punish Colin Kaepernick’s anti-patriotism (The Federalist, 2016-10-12)

Jonathan Scruggs: Forced speech is un-American (Arizona Republic, 2016-10-10)

Jonathan Scruggs: Brush & Nib suit about artistic freedom (Phoenix Business Journal, 2016-06-03)

Jonathan Scruggs: Phoenix artists sue rather than create art for same sex weddings (Arizona Republic, 2016-06-03)

Phoenix Municipal Code Section 18-4: Prohibited acts

Phoenix Municipal Code Section 18-7: Penalties

Phoenix Municipal Code Section 18-5: General penalty; continuing violations

Pre-enforcement Challenges Backgrounder

Case Profiles

Jonathan Scruggs
Jonathan Scruggs
Senior Counsel, Vice President of Litigation Strategy & Center for Conscience Initiatives
Jonathan Scruggs serves as senior counsel and vice president of litigation strategy and the Center for Conscience Initiatives with Alliance Defending Freedom.
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