Battle Lines Drawn In Arizona Gay Discrimination Case

By Will Stone
Published: Monday, December 24, 2018 - 5:05am
Updated: Wednesday, December 26, 2018 - 12:44pm

The battle lines are drawn in a controversial case that will test the strength of Phoenix’s gay anti-discrimination law.

The Arizona Supreme Court is preparing for oral arguments next month and briefs filed in the case reveal who’s on which side.

The case centers on a Phoenix wedding invitation business that preemptively sued Phoenix over its non-discrimination ordinance, which includes sexual orientation.

The business owners argue making invitations for same-sex weddings goes against their religious beliefs and the city’s law would force them to do that.

Defending Phoenix’s non-discrimination law: more than 200 businesses, Arizona’s major sports teams and companies like Intel, Go Daddy and Banner.

Business supporting anti-discrimination case.
Business supporting anti-discrimination law.

Supporting the two owners of Brush & Nib Studio: 26 members of the Arizona Legislature — including incoming Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers and Senate President Karen Fann— as well as Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich.

Arizona lawmakers supporting Brush & Nib Studio
Arizona lawmakers supporting Brush & Nib Studio.

The case may have broad implications for religious freedom and discrimination in Arizona.

Oral arguments are set for Jan. 22.

Business