LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Two anti-abortion rights organizations say a new Michigan law that added pregnancy termination to state discrimination protections violates the First Amendment.
In a lawsuit filed in February by the Alliance Defending Freedom, Right to Life of Michigan and the Pregnancy Resource Center — two nonprofits based in Grand Rapids — say a new Michigan employment law that redefined sex discrimination to include the termination of pregnancy could hurt them.
Under the new law, the two organizations cannot refuse to hire job candidates who are pro-abortion rights and must include abortion coverage in any employee insurance benefits, the Alliance Defending Freedom says.
Refusing to do so could result in fines and losing their state-issued licenses.
“The government can’t force pro-life organizations to sabotage their own beliefs by requiring them to employ staff who endorse abortion—a decision that harms women and ends innocent lives,” ADF Senior Counsel Bryan Neihart said in a release. “The First Amendment protects the right of these organizations to hire employees who can carry out and share the message of hope and joy associated with the gift of life.”
He said for the two Michigan nonprofits, the “messenger matters.”
“We are urging the court to uphold their constitutionally protected freedom to hire employees who share their views in word and deed so that they can express messages consistent with their beliefs,” he said.
In a hearing Monday, Alliance...
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