Religious group challenges Austin, Texas LGBT anti-bias law

by Reuters
Wednesday, 10 October 2018 08:47 GMT

Jeff Moseley, chief executive of the Texas Association of Business, speaks at a rally of business leaders rally in front of the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, U.S., July 17, 2017. REUTERS/Jon Herskovitz

Image Caption and Rights Information
The U.S. Pastor Council said Austin's law violates churches’ constitutional rights to free exercise of their religion

A group that represents churches across the county has filed a lawsuit claiming an Austin, Texas law banning discrimination against gay and transgender workers is unconstitutional because it does not exempt churches and employers with religious objections.

The Houston-based U.S. Pastor Council filed the lawsuit in federal court in Austin on Saturday, saying the city’s law violates churches’ constitutional rights to free exercise of their religion, and a state law barring the government from burdening religious practice.

Openly is an initiative of the Thomson Reuters Foundation dedicated to impartial coverage of LGBT+ issues from around the world.

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Update cookies preferences