Swansea Church Sues Over Transgender Law

SWANSEA, MA — A Swansea church is suing the state over a new transgender anti-discrimination law. Abundant Life Church in Swansea was one of four Bay State churches that banded together in the legal complaint.

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. A group called the Massachusetts Family Institute has filed signatures for a ballot referendum that would repeal the law.

Read more from the ADF on its lawsuit here.

Photo: torbakhopper via Flickr

Reporting by Mike Carraggi (Patch National Staff)