Churches Sue Massachusetts over Transgender Anti-Discrimination Law

Four Massachusetts churches have filed a federal lawsuit saying their civil rights are being infringed upon by a new state law barring discrimination against transgender people in public accommodations.

Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian group based in Scottsdale, Arizona, filed the lawsuit on behalf of the churches. The suit names Attorney General Maura Healey and members of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination as defendants.

The churches taking part in the suit are Abundant Life Church in Swansea, Horizon Christian Fellowship in Fitchburg, Faith Christian Fellowship in Haverhill and House of Destiny Ministries in Southbridge.

The Commonwealth's anti-discrimination law took effect Oct. 1. The law provides protections against discrimination for transgender individuals in public places and protects the ability to choose a restroom or other public facility that matches a person's sexual identity, regardless of anatomical sex. It passed in July, and took full effect Oct. 1.

Alliance Defending Freedom says the state is threatening the churches with "fines and imprisonment simply for operating consistently with their faith."

The group says the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination issued a guidance document stating that when churches host “secular” events, they become public accommodations. ADF also says Healey has said on her website that houses of worship are public accommodations.

The group argues that a church being required to open its areas such as bathrooms and changing areas to "members of the opposite biological sex" conflicts with their religious beliefs.

The law, while widely celebrated, has had its critics. It was announced Tuesday that a question affirming or repealing the law will be on the 2018 ballot.

Read more from the ADF on its lawsuit here.

Photo by torbakhopper, Flickr/Creative Commons