Court fight pits religious group that doesn't want LGBTQ+ employees against WA law

A Christian ministry in Yakima and the state of Washington are clashing in federal court over whether the religious group can decline to hire LGBTQ+ employees.

The Union Gospel Mission of Yakima runs a homeless shelter, addiction recovery programs and medical and dental clinics. The mission wants only to hire employees who follow the biblical notions forbidding sex outside of marriage and between anyone other than a man and woman.

State law forbids hiring practices based on sexual orientation, with limited exceptions for religious organizations.

Federal appeals court judges in Seattle heard arguments Tuesday in the case, which began in 2023.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/06/03/court-fight-pits-religious-group-that-doesnt-want-lgbtq-employees-against-wa-law/