DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) – A group of five churches and a Christian radio station have filed suit against the City of De Pere regarding the anti-discrimination ordinance which goes into effect Thursday.
De Pere passed the ordinance November 21st.
It prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The ordinance says its intent is to promote equal rights:
“To protect the health, safety and general welfare of all inhabitants of the city, and all persons employed and living within the city, it is declared to be the public policy of this city to foster and enforce to the fullest extent of the law equal opportunity employment, housing and public accommodations without regard to actual or perceived age, color, family status, gender identity and/or gender expression, marital status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, military service or veteran status, person with disability, sex, sexual orientation, source of lawful income or victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.”
The five churches — Hope Lutheran, Crosspoint, Destiny, St. Mark Lutheran, and Christ the Rock, along with Lakeshore Communications (operators of Q90FM), filed suit last week, challenging the ordinance.
“Unlike many of its counterparts in other state, local and federal law, the De Pere ordinance does not clearly exempt religious organizations. Nor has the City been willing to assure religious institutions that they will not be subjected to the ordinance when it takes effect March 1, 2018. As a result, the ordinance is likely to be imposed on churches and other religious organizations in a manner that would mandate government orthodoxy in core religious functions, communication, and conduct. Five churches and a religious broadcaster located in De Pere therefore bring this challenge seeking a construction of the ordinance that will protect their state and federal constitutional freedoms.”
The plantiffs ask for a declaration the ordinance does not apply to them, or that it be ruled unconstitutional.
The suit also details the religious beliefs of the various churches, and what they find problematic with the ordinance.
Crosspoint Pastor Jerry Lewin says “we believe in freedom of religion, and we are surprised that the city council has refused to remember the churches, with all of the social issues out there. This is a state intrusion into the church. It violates the Constitution of the United States, which says there should be free exercise of religion.”
According to court records, the city has not been formally served with the lawsuit. Once that happens, it has 20 days to respond. No hearings have been scheduled.
The city has a forum planned for Tuesday about the ordinance.
According to a news release…”The City wants to reach out to those in the community who may have questions on the City’s new anti-discrimination ordinance.”
The session will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the City Hall Council Chambers, 335 S. Broadway St.
