Religious Liberty
Tamer Mahmoud v. Monifa McKnight
On October 30, 2023, the ACLU and ACLU of Maryland filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit supporting the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in its efforts to ensure that its English curriculum is LGBTQ-inclusive.
Status: Ongoing
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U.S. Supreme Court
Apr 2022
![FBI v. Fazaga Plaintiffs](https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2023/01/Fazaga_scotus-1-Blog-600x400.jpg)
FBI v. Fazaga
In a case scheduled to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on November 8, 2021, three Muslim Americans are challenging the FBI’s secret spying on them and their communities based on their religion, in violation of the Constitution and federal law. In what will likely be a landmark case, the plaintiffs — Yassir Fazaga, Ali Uddin Malik, and Yasser Abdelrahim — insist that the FBI cannot escape accountability for violating their religious freedom by invoking “state secrets.” The plaintiffs are represented by the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at UCLA School of Law, the ACLU of Southern California, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Council for American Islamic Relations, and the law firm of Hadsell Stormer Renick & Dai.
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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U.S. Supreme Court
May 2020
![Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania and New Jersey/Trump v. Pennsylvania and New Jersey](https://www.aclu.org/wp-content/themes/aclu-wp/img/fallback-case-gavel.png)
Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania and New Jersey/Trump v. Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Whether the government had statutory authority under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to expand the conscience exemption to the contraceptive-coverage mandate.
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U.S. Supreme Court
Jun 2018
![David Mullins and Charlie Craig](https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2023/01/WEB18-charlie-david-1160x864-600x447.jpg)
Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission
Whether a business open to the public has a constitutional right to discriminate.
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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Oklahoma
May 2017
![Multi-faith symbols](https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2023/01/web15_dem-antidiscrim-multifaith3-1160x864-600x447.jpg)
Fatihah v. Neal
The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma, the national ACLU, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations Oklahoma Chapter filed a lawsuit against a "Muslim free" business on behalf of a U.S. Army Reserve member denied service. The lawsuit seeks equal access to public accommodations for Oklahomans of all faiths.
Status: Ongoing
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All Cases
72 Religious Liberty Cases
Dec 2012
![Elane Photography, LLC v. Vanessa Willock](https://www.aclu.org/wp-content/themes/aclu-wp/img/fallback-case-gavel.png)
Elane Photography, LLC v. Vanessa Willock
The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of New Mexico have filed an amicus brief in the New Mexico Supreme Court in support of Vanessa Willock’s public accommodations suit against a photography studio that refuses to take pictures for same-sex wedding ceremonies.
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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![Elane Photography, LLC v. Vanessa Willock](https://www.aclu.org/wp-content/themes/aclu-wp/img/fallback-case-gavel.png)
Religious Liberty
LGBTQ Rights
Elane Photography, LLC v. Vanessa Willock
The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of New Mexico have filed an amicus brief in the New Mexico Supreme Court in support of Vanessa Willock’s public accommodations suit against a photography studio that refuses to take pictures for same-sex wedding ceremonies.
Dec 2012
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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Massachusetts
Dec 2012
![ACLU of Massachusetts v. Kathleen Sebelius, et al.](https://www.aclu.org/wp-content/themes/aclu-wp/img/fallback-case-gavel.png)
ACLU of Massachusetts v. Kathleen Sebelius, et al.
From April 2006 to October 2011, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) $2.5 million to $4 million annually to fund organizations that provide direct services to trafficking victims under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act. HHS does this knowing that USCCB prohibits, based on its religious beliefs, grantees from using any of the federal funds to provide or refer for contraceptive or abortion services.
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![ACLU of Massachusetts v. Kathleen Sebelius, et al.](https://www.aclu.org/wp-content/themes/aclu-wp/img/fallback-case-gavel.png)
Massachusetts
Religious Liberty
+2 Issues
ACLU of Massachusetts v. Kathleen Sebelius, et al.
From April 2006 to October 2011, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) $2.5 million to $4 million annually to fund organizations that provide direct services to trafficking victims under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act. HHS does this knowing that USCCB prohibits, based on its religious beliefs, grantees from using any of the federal funds to provide or refer for contraceptive or abortion services.
Dec 2012
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Aug 2012
![Christian rapper "B-SHOC"](https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2023/01/bshoc_marquee.jpg)
Anderson v. Chesterfield County School District
The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of South Carolina have filed a lawsuit challenging a pervasive practice of school-sponsored prayer, preaching and religious activities in the Chesterfield County School District. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a student and his father (both non-believers) who have been ostracized for their objection to repeated official religious events and activities at New Heights Middle School.
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![Christian rapper "B-SHOC"](https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2023/01/bshoc_marquee.jpg)
Religious Liberty
Anderson v. Chesterfield County School District
The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of South Carolina have filed a lawsuit challenging a pervasive practice of school-sponsored prayer, preaching and religious activities in the Chesterfield County School District. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a student and his father (both non-believers) who have been ostracized for their objection to repeated official religious events and activities at New Heights Middle School.
Aug 2012
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Jul 2012
![DOES v. Enfield](https://www.aclu.org/wp-content/themes/aclu-wp/img/fallback-case-gavel.png)
DOES v. Enfield
In the spring of 2010, officials at the Connecticut-based Enfield Public Schools decided to hold their graduation ceremonies at First Cathedral, a Christian church. The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Connecticut and Americans United for Separation of Church and State brought a lawsuit in federal court charging that the Enfield Public Schools' decision is an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion.
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![DOES v. Enfield](https://www.aclu.org/wp-content/themes/aclu-wp/img/fallback-case-gavel.png)
Religious Liberty
DOES v. Enfield
In the spring of 2010, officials at the Connecticut-based Enfield Public Schools decided to hold their graduation ceremonies at First Cathedral, a Christian church. The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Connecticut and Americans United for Separation of Church and State brought a lawsuit in federal court charging that the Enfield Public Schools' decision is an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion.
Jul 2012
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May 2012
![Jewish War Veterans of the USA v. Hagel/Trunk v. City of San Diego](https://www.aclu.org/wp-content/themes/aclu-wp/img/fallback-case-gavel.png)
Jewish War Veterans of the USA v. Hagel/Trunk v. City of San Diego
In 2013, a federal judge ruled from the bench upholding the Ninth Circuit's ruling and ordering that the cross must come down.
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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![Jewish War Veterans of the USA v. Hagel/Trunk v. City of San Diego](https://www.aclu.org/wp-content/themes/aclu-wp/img/fallback-case-gavel.png)
Religious Liberty
Jewish War Veterans of the USA v. Hagel/Trunk v. City of San Diego
In 2013, a federal judge ruled from the bench upholding the Ninth Circuit's ruling and ordering that the cross must come down.
May 2012
Status: Closed (Judgment)
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