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Community Corner

When People Use Religion To Discriminate

My God, Your Rights, Our Constitution: When People Use Religious Freedom To Discriminate


—An ACLU forum on current First Amendment issues—


Exploring a politically explosive question: Can individuals and institutions discriminate based on their religious beliefs?

With increasing frequency, we see individuals and institutions claiming a right to refuse services to people—based on religious

objections. The refusal takes many forms, including:


• Business owners refusing to provide contraception

insurance for their employees


• Religiously affiliated schools firing women because they

became pregnant while unmarried


• Professionals of all kinds refusing to serve individuals

because of the professionals’ personal beliefs


• Pharmacies turning away women seeking to fill birth

control prescriptions


• Bridal salons, photo studios, and reception halls closing

their doors to same-sex couples planning their weddings


We will explore these issues by examining Sebelius v. Hobby

Lobby Stores, Inc
. and putting it into the context of other,

comparable efforts to rely on the First Amendment and various

statutes protecting religious freedom.

Following a question-and-answer session, we will adjourn for a reception with light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the Forum participants.

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Space is limited, so register early: http://goo.gl/VyZKoI: If you have

questions, contact us at novachapter@acluva.org or (703) 360-1096.

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