Active U.S. Courts of Appeals

Updegrove v. Miyares

Bob Updegrove holding his camera on a sidewalk

Summary

Wedding photographer Bob Updegrove challenged a state law, enacted July 1, 2020, that forces him to use his artistic talents to photograph same-sex weddings if he photographs weddings between one man and one woman. The law violates foundational rights set forth in the U.S. Constitution, including the First Amendment’s Free Speech and Free Exercise clauses.

Related Articles

Photographer Bob Updegrove is challenging the unconstitutional Virginia Values Act, which would force him to violate his deeply held beliefs.

This Photographer Is Making It Clear: Censorship Is Not a Virginia Value

Press Releases

Case Documents

Court

Title

Date

Appellate Court

Reply Brief of Appellants

9/17/2021

Appellate Court

Brief of Appellees

8/20/2021

Appellate Court

Amicus brief of the Institute for Faith & Family & North Carolina Values Coalition in support of plaintiff-appellant and reversal

7/21/2021

Appellate Court

Amicus brief of Tyndale House Publishers, the Briner Institute, and Whitaker Portrait Design, Inc. d/b/a Christian Professional Photographers supporting appellants and reversal

7/21/2021

Appellate Court

Amicus brief of the National Legal Foundation and the Family Foundation, supporting appellants and urging reversal

7/21/2021

Additional Resources

One-page summary

Case Profiles

Jonathan Scruggs

Jonathan Scruggs

Senior Counsel, Vice President of Litigation Strategy & Center for Conscience Initiatives