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.
Case Timeline:
- April 2020: Then-Gov. Ralph Northam signed the Virginia Values Act into law. The act went into effect in July 2020.
- September 2020: With the help of ADF attorneys, Bob Updegrove challenged Virginia’s law in court.
- January 2021: The first hearing in Bob’s case was held in federal court.
- April 2021: ADF attorneys filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit after a federal district court dismissed Bob’s case.
- November 2023: Following Lorie’s Supreme Court victory in 303 Creative v. Elenis in June, Virginia officials agreed in a settlement that the Constitution protects Bob’s freedom to create wedding photography consistent with his beliefs.
Commentary
Virginians deserve better than Northam’s idea of ‘values’
Jonathan Scruggs
January 14, 2021
New Virginia law stifles artistic freedom for photographer, other artists
Kate Anderson
November 21, 2020
A new Virginia law is censoring artists like me
Bob Updegrove
October 27, 2020
A threat to one person’s freedom of speech is a threat to all freedom of speech – Washington Examiner
Johannes-Widmalm-Delphonse
October 05, 2020