Court rules against Catholic teacher who refused to facilitate Planned Parenthood program

A court has ruled against the religious discrimination case of a Portland public school teacher who refused to facilitate a Planned Parenthood sex education program in his classroom.

Bill Diss, who taught at Benson High School, filed a case against Portland Public Schools after he was fired when he asked to be excused from facilitating Planned Parenthood's Teen Outreach Program (TOP). The Federal District of Oregon ruled on Nov. 22 that there were no legally significant facts in dispute to present the case before a jury.

Life Legal Defense Foundation, which represented Diss, had presented evidence of the sincerity of his religious objection to facilitating the program, but the court ruled that requiring him to promote it in his classroom does not present a burden on his beliefs or activities.

Life Legal has stated that it has filed notice to appeal the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

"We are honored to represent Bill Diss and we will continue to fight for his First Amendment rights," Life Legal stated on its website.

Diss had become a leading figure in the pro-life movement in Portland. According to Tru News, he led the opposition to a new Planned Parenthood mega-center in the city, and he had testified against the abortion provider before local government bodies.

He had served as the state director for the Culture of Life for the Knights of Columbus, and he founded Precious Children of Portland, an organization that opposes abortion.

Due to his activities, Diss became the "enemy number one" of the local branch of Planned Parenthood.

In September 2012, Planned Parenthood employees came into Diss' classroom to recruit for TOP. He asked to be excused from participating, but his request was denied, and he was told to be present for the TOP presentation. He had to deal with Planned Parenthood staff as they administered the program until he was placed on paid administrative leave on March 19, 2013.

His contract with the public school was officially terminated on Dec. 16, 2013. Diss continues to teach at local Community Colleges, and he has started a tutoring service for students of any age.