The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, a case concerning a Catholic preschool in Littleton, Colorado, that has been excluded from the state’s “universal preschool” program due to its policy on student admissions. At the heart of the case lies a complex intersection of religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws affecting LGBTQ families.
St. Mary Catholic Parish challenges the program’s requirement to admit all students, including those from LGBTQ families. The school argues that this mandate is a violation of its First Amendment rights, claiming religious discrimination. Conversely, the state of Colorado maintains that the conditions imposed by the program are generally applicable requirements, thus neutral, as previously interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1990 case Employment Division v. Smith.
Previously, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit rejected the preschool’s claims, upholding that the state’s requirements did not amount to a constitutional infringement. However, the Supreme Court’s decision to hear the argument opens a pivotal debate that will revisit interpretations of the First Amendment in the context of educational access and religious liberties.
This case will test the boundaries of religious institutions participating in publicly funded programs while adhering to their faith-based principles. Moreover, it will prompt further examination of precedents on religious liberties and anti-discrimination laws against the current landscape where issues of gender and sexual orientation are increasingly prominent.
In addition to St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, the Supreme Court has also agreed to review another significant case, Beaird v. United States, concerning Second Amendment challenges, but opted not to hear other cases including one on parental rights in public schools. The Supreme Court’s docket reflects a diverse array of pressing constitutional questions, signaling a term poised for impactful rulings.
For more detailed information on these cases and others, visit SCOTUSblog.