Late Friday, a federal district court denied the request of Iowa officials to dismiss a church’s lawsuit against a law that gives a state commission the power to censor and control churches. This decision will allow the Fort Des Moines Church in Des Moines to move forward in its suit. The suit was filed through the Alliance Defending Freedom Attorneys, and senior counsel, Steve O’Ban said, “The government acts outside of its authority when it attempts to control churches. Neither the commission nor any state law has the constitutional authority to dictate how much any church uses its facility or what public statements a church can make concerning sexuality.” At issue in this case is the church’s bathroom and shower policy that the state says is discriminatory because it does not allow the free expression of an individual’s views on human sexuality and gender identity.
