Americans United Staffer Honored For Religious Freedom Work In Georgia

Legislative Director Maggie Garrett To Receive Award From LGBT Rights Group

Jun 14, 2016

Georgia Equality will honor Americans United for Separation of Church and State Legislative Director Maggie Garrett at its upcoming Evening For Equality. Garrett will receive the Allen Thornell Political Advancement Award on June 18.

In a statement, Georgia Equality identified Garrett as “the most responsive attorney in reviewing legislative language” they’ve ever worked with and praised her for her diligence and dedication to the First Amendment. 

Landmark Ruling Stops Unconstitutional Taxpayer Funding of N.J. Yeshiva and Seminary After ACLU And Americans United Suit

Court Rules That Christie Administration’s $11 million+ Grant To Religious Schools Violated NJ Constitution

May 26, 2016

In a groundbreaking victory against government sponsorship of religion, a New Jersey appellate court ruled that the administration of Gov. Chris Christie violated the New Jersey Constitution when it awarded more than $11 million to two religious institutions of higher learning. This decision by the Appellate Division represents the first major state court precedent in almost 40 years concerning New Jersey’s prohibition on using taxpayer funding to support a religious ministry.

ACLU, Americans United Challenge Lawsuit Attempting to Circumvent Colorado Supreme Court School Voucher Ruling

May 25, 2016

DENVER – The ACLU of Colorado, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the ACLU and the law firm Arnold & Porter — who successfully challenged a Douglas County school voucher program before the Colorado Supreme Court last year — filed motions yesterday challenging the validity of a new lawsuit that asks a federal district court to issue an unprecedented order that would require the Douglas County School District to divert taxpayer funds to religious schools. 

Columbus, Ohio, Student Wins Americans United Church-State Separation Essay Contest

Religious Liberty Watchdog Also Recognizes Submissions From Students In Georgia And Wisconsin

May 17, 2016

A Columbus, Ohio, student has won first place in Americans United for Separation of Church and State’s Student Essay Contest.

McKenzie Hartman, a senior at Metro Early College High School, earned a prize of $500 for her essay on why the separation of church of state is integral to preserving religious freedom in America’s pluralistic society.  

Hartman’s winning essay will be printed in Church & State, Americans United’s membership magazine, in July, and Americans United sent her school $500 to be used for educational supplies.

Supreme Court Non-Decision Could Leave Many Women Without Secure Access To Birth Control, Says Americans United

Justices Delay Dealing With Crucial Issue

May 16, 2016

The U.S. Supreme Court today took a pass on dealing with the important question of access to birth control, an action that could leave tens of thousands of women in limbo, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

In a brief order issued this morning, the high court vacated several cases before it dealing with employee access to birth control and sent them back to lower courts for more proceedings.

Colo. Supreme Court Correct To Refuse To Hear Baker’s Lawsuit

Cake Shop Owner Had No Constitutional Right To Deny Services To LGBT Residents, Church-State Watchdog Says

Apr 25, 2016

The Colorado Supreme Court has upheld the constitutional rights of same-sex couples by refusing to hear a religious-freedom challenge to a state anti-discrimination ordinance, Americans United for Separation of Church and State says.

Americans United had filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case. This action is part of Americans United’s Protect Thy Neighbor project, which seeks to stop religion-based discrimination against LGBT persons and others.

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