The City of De Pere in Wisconsin wants to classify churches as “places of public accommodation” in order to compel them to adhere to non-discrimination mandates on gender identity and sexual orientation.

Thank goodness, the Brown County Circuit Court issued a written decision which harshly criticizes a city’s action.   

The City of De Pere ordinance applied not only to public accommodations as traditionally defined but also applied to housing, employment and advertising. 

Before the ordinance took effect in March 2018, Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) filed a lawsuit on behalf of five churches and a Christian radio station in De Pere.  The city argued that any time a church opens to the public, outside of their “traditional role as a house of worship,” the city has the right to impose its own values on that church. 

In mid-December of last year, the judge ruled against the city from the bench, noting that an immediate, oral decision was necessary to ensure the churches’ religious freedom during the Christmas season.

On March 15, the judge labeled the city’s ordinance an “egregious free speech violation” and stated, “The viewpoint discrimination in the ordinance is straightforward. Churches and religious entities may speak, advertise and otherwise publish their religious beliefs, including expectations of members, attendees and employees, and use of the facilities and services provided – so long as those beliefs are in agreement with the city’s sexual orthodoxy.”

Good.

America was founded on freedom and freedom of religion and freedom of speech are embedded in the Bill of Rights.

The Homosexual Agenda is relentless but freedom prevailed this time thanks to the efforts of PJI and an honest judge.