WASHINGTON — An LGBTQ+ civil rights group urged the U.S. Supreme Court on Nov. 3 to let Colorado require religious preschools that take public money to enroll children regardless of their parents’ sexual orientation or gender identity.
Equality California, which describes itself as the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, issued its statement the same day the justices heard oral arguments in St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy.
The case, according to the group, could decide whether religious preschools that receive funding through Colorado’s universal preschool program may turn away children because of who their parents are.
Colorado requires preschools in the program to give eligible children an equal opportunity to enroll, including regardless of their parents’ sexual orientation or gender identity, the group said. A federal district court and the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals both upheld that requirement against the challenge now before the high court, according to the statement.
“No child should be turned away from a publicly funded preschool because they have two moms or two dads,” said Tony Hoang, the group’s executive director. “LGBTQ+ parents deserve to know that when they apply for preschool, their children will have the same chance to enroll as any other child.”
Hoang said Colorado can require the preschools it funds with taxpayer dollars to give every eligible child that chance. “We urge the Supreme Court to uphold that protection so LGBTQ+ families can choose a preschool for their children without worrying that who they are will cost their child a seat,” he said.
A decision is expected by next June, the group said.
The case is one of several in recent years in which the Supreme Court has weighed how religious organizations that take part in public programs must comply with state antidiscrimination rules.
This report is based on information from Equality California.
Source: Equality California
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