Yakima Christian Homeless Shelter Challenges Anti-Discrimination Law

Union Gospel Mission in Yakima, a Christian homeless shelter, is challenging a Washington state anti-discrimination law that mandates hiring LGBTQ+ individuals and others not sharing their religious beliefs. The mission, with legal support from Alliance Defending Freedom, argues that this law violates their religious freedom. This legal battle stems from a 2017 lawsuit by Matt Woods, questioning whether non-ministerial roles at religious nonprofits can be exempt from anti-discrimination laws. The case, now in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, highlights the tension between religious freedom and anti-discrimination regulations in employment practices.