The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington on Nov. 1 ordered state officials not to enforce a law against Yakima Union Gospel Mission (YUGM) that would force it to hire individuals who do not align with its Christian mission while its case progresses.

“Yakima Union Gospel Mission exists to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through its homeless shelter, addiction-recovery programs, outreach efforts, meal services and health clinics,” said Ryan Tucker, senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). But it faces substantial penalties under Washington state law for simply engaging in its freedom to hire fellow believers who share the mission’s calling to spread the Gospel and care for vulnerable people in the Yakima community.”

YUGM will serve anyone regardless of background, but is purposeful in its hiring practices in order to hire individuals who will further its mission to spread the Gospel. However, in 2021, a Washington Supreme Court ruling reinterpreted the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD)’s exemption for religious nonprofit organizations to apply only to hiring “ministers,” specifically due to the law’s protected category of sexual orientation.

YUGM holds Biblical views of marriage and sexuality, and requires all of its employees to agree with these beliefs, as all employees are expected to further YUGM’s Christian mission. The reinterpretation of WLAD would prohibit the mission from turning down a job candidate based on the candidate’s violation of YUGM’s Biblical standards for sexual or homosexual conduct. Additionally, it would prohibit the mission from publishing a notice or application for non-ministerial employees stating a requirement to agree with and abide by its standards for sexual conduct, as well as prohibiting them from asking a non-ministerial employee to disclose his religious beliefs about homosexuality.

In August, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled that YUGM can continue to challenge WLAD.

The District Court ruling from Nov. 1 states that YUGM is “likely to succeed on the merits of its Free Exercise claim,” based on the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment protecting the free exercise of religion. “WLAD likely is not neutral and generally applicable,” the ruling says, and “places stricter limits on religious activities than it does secular activities.” The ruling also states that forcing YUGM to hire employees who do not agree with its religious views and mission likely constitutes “an enduring harm that will irreparably risk” the mission’s continued existence.

The court granted a preliminary injunction ordering Washington state officials not to enforce WLAD against YUGM while the case proceeds.

“The Constitution gives religious organizations the freedom to hire employees who are aligned with and live out their religious beliefs,” Tucker said. “We are pleased the court ruled to protect the ministry’s constitutional rights as this lawsuit proceeds.”

Photo: Alliance Defending Freedom