News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Flickr/Jerry and Pat Donaho
college-of-the-ozarks-thumb.jpg
Flickr/Jerry and Pat Donaho
USA News

Christian college files appeal to keep single-sex dorms, challenges Biden LGBTQ policy

by Premier Journalist

The College of the Ozarks is attempting to challenge a Biden Administration policy prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and bar the school from maintaining single-sex dorms.

The Missouri-based university initially sued the US Department of Housing and Urban Development over its Feb 11 memorandum, which would allow the federal department to administer and enforce the Fair Housing Act concerning sex or gender-based discrimination. In the initial lawsuit, the College's legal team argues that the directive "requires private religious colleges to open female showers, restrooms, and dorm rooms to biological males who assert a female gender identity." The College of the Ozarks also argued that the memorandum violated their First Amendment rights. The memorandum was promulgated in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. The Fair Housing Act does not account for discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

While some may see the memorandum as having little basis in the Fair Housing Act, the Biden administration argues that the ruling is designed to bring HUD policies in line with the Bostock v. Clayton County ruling, which did determine that significant parts of the Civil Rights Act did include sexual orientation and gender identity.

In June, the case was dismissed by a district court, with the judge ruling that the College had failed to prove any actual or imminent harm to justify the lawsuit.

Now the College is filing to appeal the ruling in the Eighth Circuit. The Circuit judges have agreed to expedite arguments for the case and have scheduled a hearing in November.

Julie Marie Blake, senior counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, told Inside Higher Ed that "The thing to remember is College of the Ozarks is a religious school that tries to provide a religious education. It is a school that does not charge tuition, instead welcoming students who agree to follow its code of conduct. It's targeted at students with some of the most financial need, and the government should not be threatening the College of the Ozarks with ruinous fines that could be in the six figures or even unlimited that could require it to close its doors or close the doors to student housing just because it has a religious code of conduct that governs its housing."

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate