While the court rooted its ruling in the “wrong party filed” argument, Justice David Buckingham expressed the opinion that the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission, which charged HOO with violating Lexington’s fairness ordinance after receiving a complaint from the GLSO, had “went beyond its charge of preventing discrimination” and tried to “compel Hands On to engage in expression with which it disagreed,” according to a report from the Lexington Herald-Leader. That made it impossible to determine whether discrimination had occurred, or if Adamson’s religious liberty was being infringed upon, the court ruled. VanMeter, the court said the “wrong party” had filed the complaint. In an opinion written by Justice Laurance B. That means only an individual can file such a claim, not an organization. Rather, the court sided with HOO on the grounds that the Lexington-based Gay and Lesbian Services Organization (GLSO) didn’t have standing to make a claim against HOO owner Blaine Adamson because Lexington’s equal rights law is designed to protect individuals. However, in a ruling issued Thursday, justices for the Bluegrass State’s highest court didn’t take a definitive stand on those hot button issues.īlaine Adamson, owner, Hands On Originals
The controversial case involving Hands On Originals (HOO asi/219413) pitted claims of anti-LGBTQ discrimination against assertions of freedom of speech and conscience/religion. The Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a Lexington, KY apparel decorating company that declined to print T-shirts for a local LGBTQ pride festival.