The St. Mary Catholic Parish school in Denver, decorated with religious iconography, serves as the backdrop for a landmark Supreme Court case on Tuesday. The dispute centers on a Colorado state program that funds private preschools, requiring them to provide "equal opportunity" enrollment, including children of gay and transgender parents. The Archdiocese of Denver argues this mandate violates its religious mission and members' First Amendment rights.
Lower courts have ruled the state "welcomed and actively solicited" faith-based preschools after approving a universal pre-K program in 2020. In 2023, the archdiocese directed its preschools not to register, citing conflicts with views on sexuality and gender identity. Enrollment is reportedly down 20 percent, with two preschools closed, as parents withdraw children.
The Sheley family, who met at a Catholic college, are plaintiffs seeking tuition assistance for their seven children. They argue the policy discriminates against them despite voting for the program expecting universal access. Represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, the case tests the extent to which religious objections can override government anti-discrimination rules, especially given the Court's recent history of expanding religious roles in public life, including rulings favoring Catholic social services and private school funding.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing