DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The City of De Pere will not appeal a judge’s decision upholding a challenge by churches to its anti-discrimination ordinance.
De Pere passed an ordinance in November 2017, which took effect the following March. It prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
However, five churches — Hope Lutheran, Crosspoint, Destiny, St. Mark Lutheran, and Christ the Rock — along with Lakeshore Communications (which operates Q90FM), sued, seeking a declaration the ordinance does not apply to them, or that it be ruled unconstitutional. They maintained the ordinance is so broad it undermines their Constitutionally-protected rights to conduct their affairs in a manner consistent with religious mandates and principles.
A Brown County judge ruled in the churches’ favor.
“Court finds that churches and their campuses are not public accommodations and the City of De Pere’s ordinance infringes on the freedom of religion. Court grants plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment and denies the defendant’s motion to dismiss,” court records say.
After waiting several months for the final, written order to be approved by the court, the Common Council reviewed the case in closed session Tuesday night and made the decision not to appeal.
