Summary
Vermont officials are denying Mid Vermont Christian School and its students from participating in the state’s tuition program and sports league because of their religious beliefs. Vermont, through its Agency of Education and Vermont Principals’ Association, requires private, religious schools like Mid Vermont Christian to adopt the state’s view on human sexuality and gender—namely, that sex is mutable and biological differences do not matter—as a condition to participate in the state’s tuition program and athletic association. Doing so violates the First Amendment rights of Mid Vermont Christian, its students and families, and other faith-based schools by preventing them from practicing their religious beliefs about sexuality and gender.
Case Timeline
- February 2023: Mid Vermont Christian forfeited a girls’ basketball game against a girls’ team with a male player. The forfeit knocked Mid Vermont Christian out of the state tournament.
- March 2023: The VPA immediately suspended Mid Vermont Christian from all athletic and academic competitions and sought to expel the school permanently.
- May 2023: The VPA’s Activity Standards Committee denied Mid Vermont Christian’s appeal of its expulsion.
- September 2023: Mid Vermont Christian sought readmission to the VPA, but the VPA requested the school explain how it would comply with the VPA’s gender identity policies.
- November 2023: ADF attorneys filed a lawsuit on behalf of Mid Vermont Christian, some students, and their families.
- June 2024: A federal district court denied the request for injunctive relief. ADF attorneys filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit.
- August 2024: ADF attorneys filed their opening brief with the 2nd Circuit.
- April 2025: ADF attorneys delivered oral argument at the 2nd Circuit on Mid Vermont Christian’s request for injunctive relief against the VPA.
- September 2025: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit ruled that Vermont must allow a Christian school to participate in the state’s athletic association while the case proceeds.
