Court rules gender discrimination laws do not apply to Iowa churches

A Des Moines church dropped its lawsuit against the Iowa Civil Rights Commission after a court ruled that churches in Iowa are not subject to the state's gender discrimination laws.

Earlier this year, the Commission published the "Public Accommodations Provider's Guide to Iowa Law," which indicated that churches are subject to the anti-discrimination laws regarding restrooms and speech if it holds events for non-religious purposes.

"Where qualifications are not related to a bona fide religious purpose, churches are still subject to the law's provisions (e.g. a child care facility operated at a church or a church service open to the public)," the guide stated.

In July, the Fort Des Moines Church of Christ (FDMCC) filed the lawsuit against the Commission, fearing that it might be punished if it maintained its bathroom policies and continued to preach its biblical views on gender identity.

The church was represented by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) legal counsel Christiana Holcomb.

According to Christian News, U.S. District Judge Stephanie Rose ruled on Oct. 14 that churches are not considered as places of public accommodation.

She noted that the defendants have stated that the anti-discrimination laws are not likely to be applied to churches because its bathroom policies serve a religious purpose and the events that are held in its buildings are considered to be religious in nature.

The judge denied the FDMCC's request for an injunction as well as the Commission's motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

The commission has made changes to its publication in response to the lawsuit filed by FDMCC.

"Places of worship (e.g. churches, synagogues, mosques, etc.) are generally exempt from the Iowa law's prohibition of discrimination, unless the place of worship engages in non-religious activities which are open to the public," the guide now reads.

ADF announced on Wednesday that it has dismissed the lawsuit against the Commission.