Alliance Defending Freedom

Nikki Hiltz, an American Olympic runner who identifies as transgender nonbinary, expressed disappointment after the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of West Virginia and Idaho, upholding state laws requiring student-athletes to compete based on biological sex at birth. The decision, backed by Alliance Defending Freedom, supports laws protecting women's sports but opposes access for transgender athletes, with 23 states still lacking such restrictions.

The U.S. Supreme Court will review a case from University Heights, Ohio, where Daniel Grand claims city officials required him to obtain a permit to host prayer gatherings at his home. The city argued his proposed religious activities in a residential area would create traffic and safety issues, while Grand asserts the government should not regulate prayer under the First Amendment.

The Eighth Circuit revived a lawsuit challenging Kansas City and Jackson County’s conversion therapy ban, citing the Supreme Court’s 8-1 ruling in Chiles v. Salazar, which found a similar Colorado law violated the First Amendment. Therapists Wyatt Bury and Pamela Eisenreich argue the ordinances infringe on their free speech rights by prohibiting discussions with clients seeking to align their identity with their sex or avoid same-sex attractions.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education agreed to a $95,000 settlement after a lawsuit over a student’s Charlie Kirk tribute painted on a school spirit rock. The student received permission to paint the rock but was later accused of vandalism, leading to a criminal investigation and claims of constitutional rights violations. The settlement includes public clearance of the student’s name and a new policy.

An Orthodox Jewish homeowner in Ohio, Daniel Grand, claims city officials in University Heights targeted him for hosting a home prayer gathering in 2021, requiring a permit with conditions that would convert his property into a nonresidential space. He alleges city leaders discriminated against him based on religion and obstructed his activities through threats and service disruptions, though courts dismissed his lawsuit as unripe due to incomplete permitting processes.

A family in Washington state filed a lawsuit alleging their daughter was sexually assaulted by a biological male trans athlete during a girls' wrestling match. The lawsuit names government entities and school officials as defendants, claiming policies allowing trans athletes to compete without notice to female athletes or parents led to the incident.

Colorado’s Riverstone Academy, a 30-student public Christian school in Pueblo County, closed permanently after state law changes cut off funding. The school, backed by a conservative law firm to spark a Supreme Court lawsuit, faced legal setbacks and operational challenges, including safety issues and a $20,000 settlement.

Republican support for same-sex marriage has dropped to 37%, down from 55% in 2021-2022, according to Gallup polling. The Supreme Court has not overturned its 2015 same-sex marriage decision, but conservative groups and some justices have criticized it. Trump's policies and right-wing initiatives are cited as factors in the decline of LGBTQ+ rights support among Republicans.

Colorado's Riverstone Academy, a 30-student public Christian school in Pueblo County, closed permanently after changes in state law cut off funding. The school, backed by a conservative law firm to spark a Supreme Court religious liberty case, faced legal setbacks and operational challenges before its closure.

Transgender athlete Becky Pepper-Jackson won a girls' track and field state championship in West Virginia despite an ongoing Supreme Court case challenging the state's law banning biological males from female sports. The case, which could determine her eligibility, remains unresolved, with the Supreme Court expected to rule in June. Pepper-Jackson's victory highlights the contentious legal and competitive debate over trans athletes in girls' sports.

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, a New Jersey pregnancy center, affirming their First Amendment rights against state officials who investigated and subpoenaed them for their pro-life stance. The decision protects organizations from government retaliation and allows them to challenge unconstitutional demands in federal court.

Kathy McCord, an Indiana school counselor, settled a $200K lawsuit after being fired for criticizing her district's gender identity policy, which required counselors to use students' preferred names and pronouns without parental notification. The policy, enacted by the South Madison Community School Corporation, faced legal challenges alleging it violated parental rights, with the Supreme Court supporting parental involvement in children's matters.

The Supreme Court ruled against Colorado's ban on conversion therapy, deeming it a violation of First Amendment rights for a therapist. The decision undermines protections for LGBTQ+ youth and sets a precedent for therapists' speech being constitutionally protected.