Christian charity’s lawsuit over hiring practices can proceed: appeals court

August 15, 2024

An appeals court panel has ruled that a Christian charity in Washington state can continue its legal quest to maintain its policy of hiring individuals who share their values.

The Christian Post reports that Yakima Union Gospel Mission (YUGM) had challenged the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD), arguing that the law infringed on its freedom to hire employees who aligned with its religious beliefs–especially on same sex marriage.

The WLAD prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation but includes an exemption for non-profit religious employers.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a decision reversing a lower court decision against YUGM and sending the case back to the district court level to determine if the ministry could receive a preliminary injunction.

Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Ryan Tucker shared a statement with the Christian Post, saying:

“Yakima Union Gospel Mission exists to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through its homeless shelter, addiction-recovery programs, outreach efforts, meal services, and health clinics. But it faces substantial penalties under Washington state law for simply engaging in its freedom to hire fellow believers who share the mission’s calling to spread the Gospel and care for vulnerable people in the Yakima community.”

In March of 2023, YUGM had filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against various Washington state officials arguing that the state law against discrimination was forcing the Christian charity to hire people who did not share their beliefs.

U.S. District Judge Mary Dimke ruled against the charity in September 2023, concluding, that the preliminary injunction request was “moot,” and that YUGM failed to show that the state law was being strictly enforced against them.

Photo: top, Credit: Alliance Defending Freedom