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Summary
Two churches, three schools, and a pregnancy center network filed suit in state court to challenge the Virginia Values Act, a law that forces the nonprofit ministries to abandon their core convictions in hiring and other polices or face fines up to $100,000 for each violation. The law, enacted July 1, 2020, compels churches, religious schools, and Christian ministries to hire employees who do not share their stated beliefs on marriage, sexuality, and gender identity.
Religious Freedom
Can the Government Decide Who Churches Hire?Forcing a church to hire an employee that doesn’t share its beliefs would be like forcing a Democratic candidate to hire a Republican speechwriter.
Religious Freedom
This New Virginia Law Looks a Lot Like the Equality ActThe so-called Virginia Values Act is very similar to the proposed Equality Act. Except the Equality Act would go even further.
Religious Freedom
District Court to Hear Arguments Challenging Discriminatory Virginia LawNew legislation in Virginia seeks to turn its back on the state constitution, as well as the U.S. Constitution.
Religious Freedom
Tingley v. Ferguson
Religious Freedom
Hunter v. U.S. Department of EducationChristian colleges fight lawsuit designed to strip their students of financial aid
Religious Freedom
Emilee Carpenter Photography v. JamesNY photographer challenges state law that threatens steep fines, jail time for artists
Legal Documents
Biographies
Denise Harle
Senior Counsel
Denise Harle serves as senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, where she is a member of the Center for Life.