Seattle Pacific University Sues Washington AG Amid Investigation of Possible Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ People
Seattle Pacific University (SPU) is suing state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, alleging that his investigation into possible hiring discrimination against LGBTQ+ people violates its constitutionally protected right to religious freedom, the Seattle Times reported.
“The attorney general is wielding state power to interfere with the religious beliefs of a religious university, and a church, whose beliefs he disagrees with,” according to the 22-page complaint.
The suit was filed Jul. 27 in U.S. District Court in Tacoma.
In a Jul. 29 statement, Ferguson responded that SPU’s lawsuit “demonstrates that the university believes it is above the law to such an extraordinary degree that it is shielded from answering basic questions from my office regarding the university’s compliance with state law.”
