Swansea church sues over Massachusetts transgender bathroom law
By Kirsten Glavin
@kirstenglavin
The Abundant Life Church in Swansea is one of four churches in Massachusetts that filed a federal lawsuit, Tuesday against the state’s new transgender bathroom law that went into effect October 1st.
In their claim, they state the law is "punishing" churches and their pastors "protected religious speech."
"They saw it as a threat, as government overreach into a realm that is held sacred by our founding documents,” Andrew Beckwith, an attorney representing the Alliance Defending Freedom, told ABC6 News.
The law requires public places to open up restroom doors to people based on their gender identity, not necessarily biological sex.
"All the way from genesis, through the new testament and Jesus’ teachings tells us that god created us in his image; male and female. So this is a fundamental spiritual truth that is part of that freedom that churches have always possessed in America," said Beckwith.
The organization Alliance Defending Freedom is representing the churches. The churches include: Horizon Christian Fellowship in Fitchburg, Abundant Life Church in Swansea, House of Destiny Ministries in Southbridge, and Faith Christian Fellowship in Haverhill. According to the organization’s release, they and their pastors have also filed a motion with the court asking it to suspend enforcement of the public accommodations law against the churches while their lawsuit proceeds.
The main argument details the law works against their religious teachings.
Although events like pasta dinners are often held at churches and open to the public, the ADF claims it is not a public accommodation.
The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and Attorney General, Maura Healey, say otherwise, arguing they are a public accommodation.
They say the new law protects against gender discrimination and boils down to civil rights.
"We look forward to hashing this out in court, and perhaps we’ll get some form of resolution as soon as the next month,” said Beckwith.
