Religion & Law

Recent Virginia Anti-Discrimination Statutes Challenged

By Howard M. Friedman

 Two lawsuits filed this week challenge two recently enacted Virginia statutes-- SB 868 prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations and employment, and HB 1429 that prohibits discrimination against transgender individuals in health insurance policies.

The complaint (full text) in Calvary Road Baptist Church v. Herring, (VA Cir. Ct., filed 9/28/2020) was filed by churches, Christian schools and pregnancy centers and alleges that the laws require plaintiffs to hire employees, provide insurance coverage and offer services that violate their religious beliefs on marriage, sexuality and gender.

The complaint (full text) in Updegrove v. Herring, (ED VA, filed 9/28/2020) was filed by a photographer who will "not provide wedding photography that celebrates any marriage not between one man and one woman, such as same-sex, polygamous, or open engagements or marriages, because [he] believes that God created marriage to be an exclusive union between one man and one woman."

ADF issued a press release announcing the filing of the lawsuits.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on September 30, 2020 (boomark / email).