US EditionNew York to pay Christian photographer $225k over same-sex wedding dispute
NEW YORK, JUL 23 – The settlement ends four years of litigation and requires New York to pay $225,000 in legal fees while protecting Carpenter's right to refuse same-sex wedding photography.
- On July 22, 2025, the court, in a settlement secured by the Alliance Defending Freedom, paid Carpenter $225,000 and forbade enforcement of anti-discrimination laws against her.
- Following the Supreme Court’s 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis ruling in 2023, Carpenter challenged state law in 2021.
- Provisions in the settlement ensure New York officials won't enforce laws that compel her to photograph same-sex weddings, while ADF Senior Counsel Bryan Neihart said, `Free speech is for everyone.`
- As of July 9, the case is closed, with Carpenter free to operate her business under her faith, marking a victory for free speech and religious liberty.
- This outcome marks a significant free speech victory, with Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Jonathan Scruggs suggesting it will protect other artists in New York.
13 Articles
13 Articles
New York to pay Christian photographer $225k over same-sex wedding dispute
Letitia James, the Attorney General of New York, agreed to a settlement with a Christian wedding photographer over same-sex weddings, ending four years of litigation. The consent decree was signed and approved by the district court on Tuesday, July 22. In 2021, photographer Emilee Carpenter challenged New York’s anti-discrimination laws, claiming they violated her 1st and 14th Amendment rights by forcing her to photograph same-sex weddings again…
Photographer Emilee Carpenter Wins Crucial Free Speech Victory Against New York
A Christian wedding photographer has won a crucial free speech victory against New York. Emilee Carpenter, a photographer, blogger and owner of Emilee Carpenter Photography, is based in Upstate New York. Emilee loves to use her creative abilities to glorify God, particularly through wedding photography. She says her love for celebrating marriage comes from her own Christian faith and marriage story. “I believe that love is so much more than a fe…
Free Speech Win: New York Settles with Christian Photographer Over Same-Sex Wedding Case
A federal court in New York State initially ruled against the photographer but reversed itself after the landmark Supreme Court decision in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, a successful challenge to Colorado's anti-discrimination law, on free speech grounds
New York Pays Out $225K After Trying to Force Christian Photographer to Shoot Gay Weddings.
PULSE POINTSWHAT HAPPENED: New York agreed to pay $225,000 in legal fees to Christian wedding photographer Emilee Carpenter and promised not to enforce laws that infringed on her First Amendment rights by trying to coerce her into shooting homosexual weddings.WHO WAS INVOLVED: Emilee Carpenter, New York Attorney General Letitia James, U.S. District Judge Frank Geraci, and the Alliance Defending Freedom.WHEN & WHERE: The legal battle concluded wi…
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