NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Yeshiva University filed an emergency request with the U.S. Supreme Court Monday to block a court order that would require the school to recognize a "Pride Alliance" LGBTQ student club.
The modern Orthodox Jewish university cites the First Amendment right to religious freedom, arguing in its request that it is a "deeply religious Jewish university" and "cannot comply with [the] order because doing so would violate its sincere religious beliefs about how to form its undergraduate students in Torah values."
A state judge in June disagreed and ordered Yeshiva to accept the club's recognition, adding that the school's charter and applications for state funding only describe itself as an educational institution and that it must abide by New York City's civil rights laws.
The university decided to file a petition with the Supreme Court after the New York Court of Appeals denied a motion to appeal the denial of a stay.
"That ruling is an unprecedented intrusion into Yeshiva's religious beliefs and the religious formation of its students in the Jewish faith," the petition added. "It is also an indisputably clear violation of Yeshiva’s First Amendment rights."
The "Pride Alliance" is looking for formal recognition to be able to post flyers, receive funding and use space on campus.
listen to 1010 wins
"Yeshiva University welcomes its LGBTQ students, provides extensive support services, and bans anti-LGBTQ bullying and discrimination," the university said in a statement on its website.
Student affidavits in the suit describe an environment where they felt isolated and could not find other LGBTQ students for support.
In one example, a Jane Doe said, "Up until the second semester of my sophomore year, I thought I was the only religious queer person on campus and that I was alone," calling it a "painful, isolating experience."
Their request comes as the Supreme Court's new conservative majority has become more supportive of religious freedom. CNN reported that the court has asked for a response to the petition by Friday.
Related
Related
