Press Releases (Hartford, CT) — Attorney General William Tong today joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in filing a brief in support of the constitutionality of Virginia’s anti-discrimination law. The amicus brief was filed today with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in the case of Updegrove v. Herring . Specifically, the plaintiffs, Robert Updegrove and Loudoun Multi-Images LLC, d/b/a Bob Updegrove Photography, claim that they intend to advertise that they won’t offer wedding photography services for LGBTQ+ couples. The plaintiffs claim Virginia’s public accommodations law, amended last year to protect against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, violates their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and free exercise of religion. Today’s brief, led by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, supports Virginia’s defense of the law in the plaintiffs’ appeal following the District Court’s dismissal of the lawsuit. “Refusing to serve someone because of who they love is morally reprehensible and illegal,” Attorney General Tong said. “The First Amendment does not protect those who chose to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. Together with our partner states we are urging the courts to uphold this important anti-discrimination law that requires all Americans to be treated […]
