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.
Watch
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September 16th, 2019Arizona Supreme Court issues huge win for artistic freedom -
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December 21st, 2018Broad support for artistic freedom at Arizona Supreme Court
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November 20th, 2018Arizona Supreme Court takes up artistic freedom case
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October 1st, 2018Legislators, publisher, religious groups voice support for artistic freedom at Arizona Supreme Court
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July 10th, 2018Facing threat of jail time, Arizona artists ask state Supreme Court to protect their freedom
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October 25th, 2017Painter, calligrapher to appeal decision that allows Phoenix to control artistic expression
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March 9th, 2017Artists to appeals court: Halt Phoenix ordinance that punishes artistic freedom with jail time
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September 21st, 2016Artists ask appeals court to halt Phoenix ordinance that threatens jail time for disagreeing with govt
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May 12th, 2016Jail time for Phoenix artists who disagree with government?
Legal Documents
Additional Resources
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
Biographies
