FFRF joined the National Women's Law Center and 57 organizations in a 7th Circuit amicus brief which challenged an Indiana law that discriminated against transgender school athletes. This brief is in support of the plaintiff, a 10-year-old transgender girl who was kicked off her elementary school softball team after a sports ban targeting transgender girls and young women took effect in the summer of 2022.
The brief highlighted how inclusive school policies are consistent with Title IX and a key part of creating gender equity in education. It also pointed out that this law would force schools to discriminate on the basis of sex in violation of Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause.
On October 14, 2022 FFRF filed an amicus brief in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in support of the Florida High School Athletic Association.
Cambridge Christian School sought to force the Florida High School Athletic Association to broadcast prayers over the public-address system at state championship competitions hosted by the association. This brief argued that Cambridge Christian’s free speech claim fails because it has not established that a forum exists for private speech at these government-sponsored events.
This brief was filed in collaboration with The Central Florida Freethought Community, a chapter of FFRF. Both organizations have previously jointly filed amicus briefs in the 11th Circuit and District Court as well for this case.
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FFRF filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in support of the Bremerton School District on April 1, 2022. The issue in this case was whether the school district violated the free exercise and free speech rights of a former high school football coach who wanted to pray on the 50-yard line right after games.
FFRF argued that the case became moot because Coach Kennedy was no longer living in Washington. FFRF also argued that nonreligious students and students who are religious minorities are harmed when coaches institute prayers for their teams.
FFRF was joined by the Center For Inquiry, the American Humanist Association and the Secular Coalition for America on this brief. The Foundation also previously filed a brief with the 9th Circuit.
FFRF filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in support of Colorado officials on August 18, 2022. This case involved a Colorado business owner who claimed she was planning to start designing wedding websites but wanted to do so without needing to provide service to same-sex couples. This denial of service would violate the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act because it prevents businesses from refusing service on the basis of sexual orientation. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Colorado officials and found that the free speech rights of the businesses are not violated by the law.
FFRF’s brief argued that the business owner lacked standing to challenge the law because she manufactured a case without actually designing wedding websites. It also argued that a ruling in favor of 303 Creative would lead to increased religious discrimination. FFRF was joined by the Center For Inquiry, the American Humanist Association, and the American Atheists on this brief.