Judge: De Pere Gender Identity Policy Violates Church Rights

A judge has ruled that a northeastern Wisconsin city’s ordinance barring discrimination based on gender identity violates the religious freedom of local churches.

The Green Bay Press Gazette reports Brown County Judge William Atkinson ruled last week that churches in De Pere should be exempt from a city ordinance protecting those who identify as transgender and gender non-binary.

De Pere officials approved the ordinance last year to prohibit employers, businesses and landlords from discriminating against individuals based on gender identity or expression.

Five churches and a company that owns a Christian radio station sued in February, arguing that they should be free to hire employees that align with their beliefs.

City attorney Judy Schmidt-Lehman declined to comment until the city council reviews the judge’s order.