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Telescope Media Group v. Lucero

Description:  The Minnesota Human Rights Act forced Carl and Angel Larsen and their company, Telescope Media Group, to use their filmmaking talents to promote same-sex marriages if they produce films that celebrate marriage between one man and one woman.


Thursday, Oct 3, 2019
 
The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Jeremy Tedesco regarding the Minnesota attorney general’s decision to further pursue filmmakers Carl and Angel Larsen in federal district court rather than appeal the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit’s decision against the state in August in Telescope Media Group v. Lucero:

“Carl and Angel won a great free speech victory at the 8th Circuit, which rightly affirmed that the government has no power to force people to express messages that violate their deepest convictions. This principle protects everyone. It means the state can’t threaten the Larsens with jail time for declining to create a film promoting a view of marriage that violates their religious beliefs. It also prevents the government from forcing an atheist musician to perform at an evangelical church service or a Democratic speech writer to write speeches for a Republican.

“After the Larsens won at the 8th Circuit, the Minnesota attorney general agreed to an order from the court preventing it from enforcing the law against the Larsens while the case proceeds. Carl and Angel are pleased that they will soon be able to enter the marriage industry and produce films that are consistent with their beliefs. We look forward to securing a final victory that prevents the state from using its power to banish people of faith from the public square.”
 
  • Pronunciation guide: Tedesco (Teh-DESS’-koh)
 
Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith.
 
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Previous News Releases

Legal Documents

Stipulation to enter preliminary injunction: Telescope Media Group v. Lucero
8th Circuit opinion: Telescope Media Group v. Lucero
Appellants’ reply brief filed with 8th Circuit: Telescope Media Group v. Lindsey
Amicus briefs filed with 8th Circuit: Telescope Media Group v. Lindsey
Opening brief filed with 8th Circuit: Telescope Media Group v. Lindsey
Notice of appeal: Telescope Media Group v. Lindsey
Order granting motion to dismiss: Telescope Media Group v. Lindsey
Brief in support of motion for preliminary injunction: Telescope Media Group v. Lindsey
Complaint: Telescope Media Group v. Lindsey

Related Resources

ABOUT Jeremy Tedesco

Jeremy Tedesco serves as senior counsel and senior vice president of corporate engagement for Alliance Defending Freedom. In this role, Tedesco leads ADF’s efforts to combat corporate cancel culture and build a business ethic that respects free speech, religious freedom, and human dignity. Immediately preceding his current role, Tedesco served as senior vice president for communications, during which time he was a lead convener of the Philadelphia Statement, a movement dedicated to restoring free speech and civil discourse. Previously, Tedesco litigated First Amendment cases at the highest levels. He was part of the legal team that represented cake artist Jack Phillips in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission before the U.S. Supreme Court and argued Phillips’ case at the Colorado Court of Appeals. He was also the lead brief writer in two other U.S. Supreme Court wins, Reed v. Town of Gilbert and Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization v. Winn. Tedesco has also argued six times before five different federal appellate courts and founded and directed the ADF Center for Conscience Initiatives, where he led efforts to protect individuals from government-coerced speech. Tedesco earned his Juris Doctor in 2004 from the Regent University School of Law.