Using Religion to Discriminate

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U.S. Supreme Court
May 2020
Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania and New Jersey/Trump v. Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Using Religion to Discriminate

Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania and New Jersey/Trump v. Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Whether the government had statutory authority under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to expand the conscience exemption to the contraceptive-coverage mandate.
Little Sisters Of The Poor V. Pennsylvania And New Jersey/trump V. Pennsylvania And New Jersey. Explore Case.
U.S. Supreme Court
Jun 2018
David Mullins and Charlie Craig

Using Religion to Discriminate

Religious Liberty

Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission

Whether a business open to the public has a constitutional right to discriminate.
Masterpiece Cakeshop V. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Explore Case.

All Cases

17 Using Religion to Discriminate Cases

Mahmoud v. Taylor
U.S. Supreme Court
Jul 2025

Using Religion to Discriminate

LGBTQ Rights

Mahmoud v. Taylor

On April 9, 2025, the Ƶand Ƶof Maryland filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in its efforts to ensure that its English Language Arts curriculum is LGBTQ-inclusive.
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Mahmoud V. Taylor. Explore Case.
U.S. Supreme Court
Jul 2025
Mahmoud v. Taylor

Using Religion to Discriminate

LGBTQ Rights

Mahmoud v. Taylor

On April 9, 2025, the Ƶand Ƶof Maryland filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in its efforts to ensure that its English Language Arts curriculum is LGBTQ-inclusive.
Mahmoud V. Taylor. Explore Case.
St. Dominic Academy v. Makin
Maine
Nov 2024

Using Religion to Discriminate

St. Dominic Academy v. Makin

The ACLU, Ƶof Maine, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit arguing that religious schools in Maine participating in the state’s school tuition program must comply with all eligibility requirements of the program – including a prohibition on discrimination on the basis of religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity, among other protected characteristics.
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St. Dominic Academy V. Makin. Explore Case.
Maine
Nov 2024
St. Dominic Academy v. Makin

Using Religion to Discriminate

St. Dominic Academy v. Makin

The ACLU, Ƶof Maine, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit arguing that religious schools in Maine participating in the state’s school tuition program must comply with all eligibility requirements of the program – including a prohibition on discrimination on the basis of religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity, among other protected characteristics.
St. Dominic Academy V. Makin. Explore Case.
A collage of a hand waving a pride flag, a chalkboard, a pregnancy test, and a bible
Maine
Oct 2024

Using Religion to Discriminate

Crosspoint v. Makin

The ACLU, Ƶof Maine, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit arguing that religious schools in Maine participating in Maine’s school tuition program must comply with all eligibility requirements of the program, including a prohibition on discrimination against students based on their religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
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Crosspoint V. Makin. Explore Case.
Maine
Oct 2024
A collage of a hand waving a pride flag, a chalkboard, a pregnancy test, and a bible

Using Religion to Discriminate

Crosspoint v. Makin

The ACLU, Ƶof Maine, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit arguing that religious schools in Maine participating in Maine’s school tuition program must comply with all eligibility requirements of the program, including a prohibition on discrimination against students based on their religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Crosspoint V. Makin. Explore Case.
A Pride supporter (whose face cannot be seen) holds an Intersex-inclusive Pride Flag in their hair while facing the Supreme Court.
Washington
Oct 2024

Using Religion to Discriminate

Religious Liberty

Aubry McMahon v. World Vision, Inc.

On October 28, 2024, the Ƶand Ƶof Washington filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit supporting affirmance of a Washington district court decision holding that a religiously affiliated nonprofit organization violated Title VII and the Washington State antidiscrimination law when it rescinded a hiring candidate’s job offer because she is a woman married to a person of the same sex. Should the Ninth Circuit accept the organization’s First Amendment defense—that religious organizations can discriminate on any basis so long as it is grounded in their religious belief—it would gut employment protections for LGBTQ individuals and pave the way for religious organizations to discriminate on the basis of not only sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity but also other protected characteristics like race, color, and national origin.
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Aubry Mcmahon V. World Vision, Inc.. Explore Case.
Washington
Oct 2024
A Pride supporter (whose face cannot be seen) holds an Intersex-inclusive Pride Flag in their hair while facing the Supreme Court.

Using Religion to Discriminate

Religious Liberty

Aubry McMahon v. World Vision, Inc.

On October 28, 2024, the Ƶand Ƶof Washington filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit supporting affirmance of a Washington district court decision holding that a religiously affiliated nonprofit organization violated Title VII and the Washington State antidiscrimination law when it rescinded a hiring candidate’s job offer because she is a woman married to a person of the same sex. Should the Ninth Circuit accept the organization’s First Amendment defense—that religious organizations can discriminate on any basis so long as it is grounded in their religious belief—it would gut employment protections for LGBTQ individuals and pave the way for religious organizations to discriminate on the basis of not only sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity but also other protected characteristics like race, color, and national origin.
Aubry Mcmahon V. World Vision, Inc.. Explore Case.
two 3-tier white wedding cakes, one with white flowers on top
California
Apr 2024

Using Religion to Discriminate

LGBTQ Rights

California Civil Rights Department v. Cathy's Creations d/b/a Tastries

On April 11, 2024, the ACLU, Ƶof Southern California, Ƶof Northern California, and Ƶof San Diego & Imperial Counties filed an amicus brief with the California Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District supporting the California Civil Rights Department’s appeal of a lower court judgment finding that a bakery owner did not violate the California public accommodations law when she refused to sell a wedding cake to a same-sex couple.
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California Civil Rights Department V. Cathy's Creations D/b/a Tastries. Explore Case.
California
Apr 2024
two 3-tier white wedding cakes, one with white flowers on top

Using Religion to Discriminate

LGBTQ Rights

California Civil Rights Department v. Cathy's Creations d/b/a Tastries

On April 11, 2024, the ACLU, Ƶof Southern California, Ƶof Northern California, and Ƶof San Diego & Imperial Counties filed an amicus brief with the California Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District supporting the California Civil Rights Department’s appeal of a lower court judgment finding that a bakery owner did not violate the California public accommodations law when she refused to sell a wedding cake to a same-sex couple.
California Civil Rights Department V. Cathy's Creations D/b/a Tastries. Explore Case.
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