Federal judge sides against Christian college opposing Biden’s ‘gender identity’ executive order
A federal judge sided with the Biden administration — and against a Christian college — in a legal battle over the White House’s executive order on “gender identity.”
The college says that the order “forces religious schools to violate their beliefs by opening their dormitories, including dorm rooms and shared shower spaces, to members of the opposite sex.”
A federal judge sided against a Christian college suing the Biden administration for its executive order on “gender identity.”
On his first day in office, President Joe Biden signed an “Executive Order on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation” — a measure proclaiming that “children should be able to learn without worrying about whether they will be denied access to the restroom, the locker room, or school sports.”
College of the Ozarks — which exists to “develop citizens of Christ-like character who are well-educated, hardworking, and patriotic” — filed a lawsuit with the aid of the Alliance Defending Freedom in opposition to the executive order.
“The lawsuit challenges a directive from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which forces religious schools to violate their beliefs by opening their dormitories, including dorm rooms and shared shower spaces, to members of the opposite sex,” says an April 15 press release from the college. “The directive accomplishes this by requiring entities covered by the Fair Housing Act to not ‘discriminate’ based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”
“For decades, the College has prohibited male students from living in female dormitories, and vice versa, regardless of whether those students identify with their biological sex,” explains the school’s lawsuit. “The College likewise separates intimate spaces such as showers and bathrooms in its dormitories. The College regularly makes statements communicating these same policies, including this month as it arranges student housing for the fall.”
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Nevertheless, United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri Judge Roseann Ketchmark — an Obama appointee — rejected the school’s requests.
“After careful consideration of the law... the court denies the plaintiff’s motion for temporary restraining order and injunction,” she said from the bench, as reported by The Washington Times. “The court does find that the dispute is not justiciable.”
A spokesperson from the college told The Washington Times of plans to file an appeal.
Despite the setback, Ryan Bangert — senior counsel and vice president of legal strategy at ADF — says that the group will continue fighting.
“While we’re disappointed by the court’s ruling this week, we are carefully evaluating all options and plan to appeal this case,” he told Campus Reform. “We are confident that the College of the Ozarks will get the relief that it seeks as this case moves forward. The Biden Administration can’t force religious colleges and universities to open up their dormitories and showers to members of the opposite sex. We plan to continue pursuing this case until justice is restored.”
Campus Reform reached out to College of the Ozarks for comment; this article will be updated accordingly.
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