W.D. N.C.: Catholic high school liable for firing teacher in same-sex marriage. The court rejected defenses based on the First Amendment—including the Ministerial Exception— Title VII, and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, among others. Religion Clause reports on the decision here. Read the decision here: Billard v. Charlotte Catholic High School, (W.D. N.C., Sept. 3, 2021).
Category: LGBT rights
S.D. Ind.: Ministerial Exception Requires Dismissal of Title VII Claims By Catholic School Guidance Counselor
“Ministerial Exception Requires Dismissal Of Title VII Claims By Catholic School Guidance Counselor” Religion Clause covers the decision here.
“7th Circuit: Ministerial Exception Does Not Cover Hostile Work Environment Claims, Absent Tangible Employment Action7th Circuit: Ministerial Exception Does Not Cover Hostile Work Environment Claims, Absent Tangible Employment Action”
“7th Circuit: Ministerial Exception Does Not Cover Hostile Work Environment Claims, Absent Tangible Employment Action.” Religion Clause summarizes the decision here.
“One goal of Methodists’ plan to split the church over same-sex marriage and clergy: Avoid lawsuits”
“One goal of Methodists’ plan to split the church over same-sex marriage and clergy: Avoid lawsuits” The Washington Post covers the split, including why congregations going through the process should consult a lawyer even without litigation, here.
2nd Cir.: Christian Adoption Agency May Continue Ongoing Cases Pending Appeal Despite Nondiscrimination Noncompliance
2nd Cir.: Christian Adoption Agency May Continue Ongoing Cases Pending Appeal Despite Nondiscrimination Noncompliance. Religion Clause covers the decision here.
“Church: Free speech protects decision to fire gay Indianapolis teacher”
“Church: Free speech protects decision to fire gay Indianapolis teacher.” The Indiana Lawyer covers a recent filing in a lawsuit involving the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis and a teacher it directed a school to fire here.
“Catholic Agency Challenges Michigan’s Child-Placement Anti-Discrimination Policy”
“Catholic Agency Challenges Michigan’s Child-Placement Anti-Discrimination Policy” Religion Clause covers the suit here.
Coverage of Masterpiece Cakeshop before oral argument
The U.S. Supreme Court decided to hear Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The case involves a Colorado cake baker who declined to make a cake for a gay couple’s wedding. When the Colorado Civil Rights Commission pursued the baker, he argued he was entitled to an exemption from Colorado’s civil-rights laws based on religious and free-speech grounds under the First Amendment. The links below include news coverage, relatively even-handed analysis, and analysis in support of and against the baker’s position that was posted before oral argument, which was scheduled for sometime in the October 2017 term. (This post has been regularly updated through the date of oral argument.) Continue reading “Coverage of Masterpiece Cakeshop before oral argument”
“U.S. Supreme Court wedding cake case could affect St. Cloud couple’s suit against Minnesota: Both sides in Minnesota will be watching Tuesday when the justices in Washington hear arguments in a parallel case from Colorado.”
“U.S. Supreme Court wedding cake case could affect St. Cloud couple’s suit against Minnesota: Both sides in Minnesota will be watching Tuesday when the justices in Washington hear arguments in a parallel case from Colorado.” The (Minneapolis) StarTribune reports here.