“For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” – Deuteronomy 20:4
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Chelsey Nelson owned a photography studio in Louisville where most of her work is wedding photography. Chelsey holds to a Biblical view of marriage, that marriage is a sacred union between one man and one woman. Because of this, she only provides services for weddings that align with her biblical convictions.
Unfortunately, a Louisville LGBTQ “fairness” ordinance prohibited Nelson from expressing her Biblical views on marriage on her studio’s website. The ordinance also tried to force Nelson to provide services for gay couples, which contradicts her religious conviction. In 2019, attorneys from Alliance Defending Freedom filed the lawsuit Chelsey Nelson Photography v. Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government to protect and defend her First Amendment rights.
Thankfully, last year, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky upheld Nelson’s religious freedom. The crucial ruling protects Chelsey’s right to communicate messages that are derived from her deeply held religious convictions without fear of governmental intrusion or retaliation. Furthermore, the court ruled that the city of Louisville must pay nominal damages for obstructing her freedom of speech.
Just days ago, the city of Louisville agreed to pay $800,000 in attorneys’ fees for violating Chelsey’s First Amendment rights. Praise God that Chelsey can now put this infringement behind her for good, and that we can celebrate with her that we still live in a country where we can live out our faith without fear.
LET US PRAY…
Father, we praise You for the courage of Chelsey Nelson and the strength that she has displayed in standing strong for Your truth about marriage. Lord, we praise You for this monumental court victory that upholds and protects our First Amendment rights. Lord, we praise You that this lawsuit has concluded with our First Amendment rights protected. Father, may we never take our precious First Amendment rights for granted and always stand in defense of them. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.