Lexington, Ky., May 15, 2017 / 23:02 pm
Backers of a print shop owner who declined to print gay pride T-shirts because of his religious beliefs praised a Kentucky court's decision that his free speech rights protect him from a discrimination complaint.
"Americans should always have the freedom to believe, the freedom to express those beliefs, and the freedom to not express ideas that would violate their conscience," said Jim Campbell, senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom. "Today's decision is a victory for printers and other creative professionals who serve all people but cannot promote all messages."
The case concerned Blaine Adamson, owner of Hands On Originals, a small print shop in Lexington, Ky.
"I want God to find joy in what we do and how we work, how we treat our employees, and the messages we print," said Adamson. "So if someone walks in and says, 'Hey, I want you to help promote something,' I can't promote something that I know goes against what pleases Him."