WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Dec. 7 to hear the case of an evangelical Christian group that was prevented from being recognized as a campus organization at a California law school because it excluded gays and lesbians. The Christian Legal Society sued to be officially recognized at the public Hastings College of Law — part of the University of California in San Francisco — but was denied because it excluded membership to gays and non-Christians. Officials from the group said the school’s policy violated their freedoms of speech, religion and association.
“Public universities shouldn’t single out Christian student groups for discrimination,” said Kim Colby, senior counsel for the Christian Legal Society’s Center for Law and Religious Freedom. “All student groups have the right to associate with people of like mind and interest.” Hastings representatives said the organization must comply with the school’s nondiscrimination policy to get formal recognition, which allows access to resources and travel funds. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in the school’s favor. The high court will hear the case, Christian Legal Society v. Martinez, in the spring. (TAB)
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