Joyner v. Forsyth County

Last modified 2011.09.15


  • Status Closed
  • Type Counsel
  • Court U.S. Court of Appeals, U.S. District Court
  • Issues Fighting Discrimination, Nontheist, Atheist, Humanist, Official Prayer, Racial Equality, Religious Minorities, Why People of Faith Support Church-State Separation

For years, the Forsyth County Board of Supervisors invited local clergy to deliver sectarian prayers at Board meetings; most of the prayers were Christian.

In March 2007, Americans United and the ACLU of North Carolina challenged the Board’s prayer policy in federal court. In January 2010, the trial court ruled that the prayer policy was unconstitutional and had the effect of affiliating the County with Christianity.

The County appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. In July 2011, the Fourth Circuit upheld the trial court’s decision, explaining that the County unlawfully advanced a particular faith by allowing prayers that repeatedly and specifically referred to Christianity.

In January 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the County’s petition for review. And in April 2012, the plaintiffs settled their claim for attorneys’ fees and expenses. The case has concluded.

For Nex and all 2SLGBTQ+ students in Oklahoma

Remove Ryan Walters

We are calling for the Oklahoma Legislature to immediately remove Ryan Walters from his position as Oklahoma Superintendent and to begin an investigation into the Oklahoma Department of Education’s policies that have led to a the rampant harassment of 2SLGBTQ+ students.

Sign The Petition