Christian group files lawsuit to exempt churches from Massachusetts transgender bathroom law
The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District court on Tuesday seeking an exemption from the new transgender anti-discrimination law for churches in Massachusetts.
The new ordinance which was enacted on Oct. 1 requires places of public accommodation to allow transgenders to use comfort rooms and changing rooms that conform to their gender identity.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of four churches against Attorney General Maura Healey and members of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), MassLive reported.
The ADF argued in the lawsuit that the new law violates the religious freedom of the churches.
"The activities that churches allow in their facilities must be consistent with their understanding of God's truth, and must not present a message that contradicts the churches' understanding of God's truth," the complaint stated.
"The churches' religious beliefs are that sex is an immutable trait from which springs the natural and healthy desires for physical privacy and modesty in states of partial or full undress, such as in showers, changing rooms and restrooms," it continued.
Kasey Suffredini and Mason Dunn of Freedom Massachusetts, the group that advocated for the law, issued a statement saying that the new law just updates existing anti-discrimination laws to include transgenders, adding that churches and pastors are still free to practice their beliefs.
Suffredini and Dunn also noted that the law was supported by 350 congregations when it was still being debated.
According to the guidance written by MCAD, churches will only be subject to the law if it holds secular events such as a spaghetti supper.
The lawsuit argued that all events at the church are religious. The churches are also worried that the sermons will be subject to the anti-discrimination law if it touches on the subject of gender identity.
The ADF is seeking a preliminary injunction to exempt the churches from the law. The plaintiffs in the case are Horizon Christian Fellowship in Fitchburg: Abundant Life Church in Swansea; House of Destiny Ministries in Southbridge; and Faith Christian Fellowship in Haverhill.
The group has also filed a similar lawsuit in Iowa last July on behalf of Fort Des Moines Church of Christ.
