OR just hire a different photographer who's not an idiotic ass and yer done.

I would agree with you...no question the photographer was making a bad decision. It's bad business. But the same-gender couple did not do what you suggested - and there was a legal case in New Mexico with a landmark decision in the State Supreme Court.

I have always been fine with same-gender marriage (unlike Barack Obama, who has vacillated on it over the years). And until last month, I never ever understood why opponents of same-gender marriage had a concern....my feeling was always, "Why should they care? How does it affect them?" And I under understood why opponents invoked the 1st Amendment.....until last month, when New Mexico made a decision that is blatantly unconstitutional.

I am still 100% fine with same-gender marriage - but the question on why opponents have been concerned with free speech violation has now been answered.

This is why I raised the question.