DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A judge has ruled in favor of a group of De Pere churches which challenged the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance.
De Pere passed an ordinance one year ago and it went into effect March 1st. The ordinance prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
However, the 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.
The city argued the churches failed to follow the proper procedure in filing the suit. It also argued the churches couldn’t show any specific example of damage being done.
While a three-day trial was scheduled to start February 19th, Brown County Judge William Atkinson ruled in the churches favor Friday, ending the lawsuit.
“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.
De Pere City Attorney Judy Schmidt-Lehman said the city would not comment until the City Council reviews the decision.
