Did Michigan amend a state law to target pregnancy centers?
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) reported that its clients, Right to Life of Michigan and Pregnancy Resource Center Grand Rapids, filed a lawsuit on Friday against the state over an amended employment law that would force them to hire individuals who does not share their pro-life views.
Similar to what happened with federal civil rights law during the Obama administration, Michigan redefined the word “sex” in anti-discrimination law to include “termination of pregnancy.”
Right to Life of Michigan and Pregnancy Resource Center Grand Rapids will violate the statue if they refuse to recruit and hire people who advocate abortion.
Additionally, pro-life organizations must offer health insurance to employees for abortions under the amended law. From ADF (ADF):
ADF attorneys note that both organizations have refrained from including their pro-life mission statements in job postings and have even received some applications from people who identified themselves as “pro-abortion.”
ADF attorneys are defending pro-life ministries in New York from a similar law. In January, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit revived the challenge to the state law after a lower court dismissed it.
“Right to Life and Pregnancy Resource Center both recognize that every woman deserves real support to make the healthiest choice for her and her unborn baby,” said Bryan Neihart, ADF attorney. “But Michigan’s law forces these organizations to contradict their beliefs and to employ staff who endorse abortion—a decision that harms women and ends innocent lives.”
