Alliance Defending Freedom

A surrogacy dispute has arisen in Texas involving a newborn with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, born to surrogate McKenna West. The Los Angeles-based couple, Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar, allege that West violated their contract and obtained a restraining order preventing contact with the child. The case has drawn national attention due to conflicts over legal custody and medical care between California and Texas courts.

The article details the author's journey from a passionate female athlete to a legal advocate for women's sports, highlighting Sophie Cunningham's controversial stance on biological sex in athletics and recent Supreme Court rulings protecting women's sports under Title IX. Cunningham, an Indiana Fever star, defended her comments about biological sex as 'common sense,' sparking a nationwide debate. Legal organizations, including Alliance Defending Freedom, celebrated the Supreme Court's unanimous decisions supporting sex-based protections in sports.

Two conservative law firms, Alliance Defending Freedom and the Heritage Foundation, have joined the defense team in a federal lawsuit against the Elizabeth School District over the removal of 18 books from school libraries. The books, which are primarily by or about LGBTQ people and people of color, were taken off shelves in 2024 amid claims of inappropriate content, and the case is set for a December trial.

House Speaker Mike Johnson warned at the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) summit that students are being 'indoctrinated' to view the U.S. through 'wrong lenses,' expressing concern over young people's appreciation of America's greatness. He highlighted his experiences on university campuses where few students acknowledge living in the 'greatest nation in history.' The ADF summit, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, focused on reclaiming the 'spirit of 1776.'

Kristen Waggoner of Alliance Defending Freedom discussed the firm's Supreme Court victory in women's sports cases, ongoing legal battles against states allowing trans athletes in women's sports, and challenges with mainstream media. She emphasized the firm's commitment to opposing gender ideology in law and highlighted specific cases involving alleged sexual assault in sports.

Adaleia Cross, a West Virginia teen, alleges she was sexually harassed by a trans athlete in a girls' locker room and later mistreated by peers and teachers for her activism in the 'Save Women's Sports' movement. The ACLU denied the allegations and stated an investigation found them unsubstantiated, while Cross's attorneys at Alliance Defending Freedom contested this, claiming the school failed to address the harassment.

The Supreme Court's ruling on trans athletes has not changed the reality for many women and girls in 23 states without laws restricting biological males from women's sports, including Washington. Athletes like Soleil Hoefer describe competitive disadvantages and a recent case where a Washington wrestler, Kallie Keeler, was allegedly sexually assaulted by a biological male trans competitor, highlighting broader safety concerns. Advocacy groups argue the issue extends beyond competition to safety in sports and facilities.

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.