Rev. Blackmon v. Missouri
Challenging Missouri’s abortion restrictions as a violation of church-state separation.
Church-State Separation & the Courts
Americans United’s Legal Department defends church-state separation by going to court on behalf of people whose religious-freedom rights have been violated; by contacting school districts, municipalities, and state and federal agencies to resolve constitutional violations without litigation; and by contributing our expertise through friend-of-the-court briefs in cases nationwide.
Our Litigation
Rutan-Ram v. Tennessee Department of Children’s Services
Challenge to Tennessee state law that permits state-funded agencies to discriminate against foster and adoptive parents based on religion.
Fitzgerald v. Roncalli High School
Lawsuit by guidance counselor against religious school that fired her for being married to a woman but claims that because it is religious it cannot be held liable.
Kennedy v. Bremerton School District
Defense of public school district that required football coach to stop having prayers with students on the 50-yard line at the end of games.
Janny v. Gamez
Challenge to parole officer’s decision to return to jail atheist parolee for refusing to participate in worship and Bible study at rescue mission.
Tucker v. Faith Bible Chapel International
Lawsuit by former schoolteacher against religious school that fired him for addressing racism there but claims that because it is religious it cannot be held liable.
Read more about our legal cases
We’ve Been Securing Religious Freedom in the Courts for Decades
- 2022
Easter v. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Our lawsuit caused a religious foster-care agency to stop discriminating against a lesbian woman who wanted to foster refugee children. - 2019
Challenges to Trump Administration “Denial of Care” Rule: We blocked a Trump Administration regulation that would allow healthcare providers and employees to use their religious or moral beliefs as a basis to refuse to assist patients. - 2015
LaRue v. Douglas County School District: We ended a Colorado school district’s use of private-school vouchers to fund religious schools. - 2005
Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District: We stopped a public school district’s effort to teach intelligent-design creationism in science class. - 2002
Glassroth v. Moore: We blocked Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore’s attempt to display a religious monument in the state judicial building.
