Court won't temporarily suspend Phoenix ordinance, artists may appeal

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel Jonathan Scruggs regarding an Arizona judge’s refusal on Monday to temporarily suspend enforcement of a Phoenix ordinance against two artists who are challenging it in Brush & Nib Studio v. City of Phoenix. The ordinance forces the studio’s two young female owners to use their artistic talents to promote same-sex ceremonies; it 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:

“Artists shouldn’t be threatened with jail time and other penalties simply for making art that is consistent with their beliefs. That’s why we asked the court to suspend enforcement of the Phoenix ordinance against our clients while their case goes forward. Because the city must allow artists the freedom to make personal decisions about what art they will and will not create, and because the ordinance’s additional requirement that artists stay quiet about their views is clearly unjust and unlawful, we will consult with our clients about appealing the court’s decision.”

The judge also refused to grant the city’s motion to dismiss the case.

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith.