A Christian school in Maine reportedly was denied exemption from LGBT antidiscrimination requirements in the state.
U.S. District Judge John Woodcock allegedly denied an injunction earlier this week requested by Bangor Christian Schools run by Crosspoint Church, claiming that the church’s lawsuit against officials is not likely to succeed.
“The Court determines that the educational antidiscrimination provisions do not violate the Free Exercise Clause because they are neutral, generally applicable, and rationally related to a legitimate government interest,” Woodcock said.
“The Court concludes further that the educational provisions do not violate the Free Speech Clause because they regulate conduct, not speech. Finally, the Court concludes that the employment provisions do not proscribe any constitutionally protected conduct,” he continued.
First Liberty Institute Senior Counsel Lea Patterson, representing Crosspoint, explained plans to appeal the ruling.
“Government punishing religious schools for living out their religious beliefs is not only unconstitutional, it is wrong,” Patterson said.
Patterson claimed that the gender identity and sexual orientation provisions seem “designed to keep religious schools from participating” in the state’s tuition program.
The school’s “parents and students will still have to bear a financial burden that other similarly situated students are not required to bear,” she continued.
