California government officials have agreed to a nearly $200,000 settlement in a dispute that sought to exclude a church preschool from the state's kindergarten lunch program.
Church of Mercy and Dayspring Christian Learning Center receive He will receive $30,000 for meals that would have been paid without state aid and $160,000 for legal fees.
As reported, daily callerThe Church and Freedom Alliance filed a lawsuit in June 2023, accusing the Biden administration's U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with the California Department of Human Services, of funding the school because of its “orthodox religious beliefs” about sex and gender. claimed to have been canceled.
The complaint alleges that the learning center was removed from the program in 2023 because of its beliefs about “human sexuality” and “the use of 'preferred' pronouns for children and employees that do not correspond to their biological sex.” He explained that this was also due to his refusal.
The lawsuit alleged that government officials intentionally discriminated against churches on the basis of their faith, violating the First Amendment.
“The government cannot withhold food from families in need simply because their children attend a Christian preschool. ADF Senior Advisor Jeremiah Gallus said.in statement.
“In the name of fighting discrimination, government officials excluded a church and preschool from serving the El Cajon community solely because of their religious beliefs and exercise. They should not have filed a lawsuit to resolve this issue. , at least now the Church of Mercy will be able to continue its important support work for underprivileged children and families,'' Gallus added.
The child learning center had already been part of the USDA program for about 20 years before the rules changed in 2021. Updated Terms Under Title IX, it declared that “educational institutions receiving federal funding” must now comply with discrimination provisions regarding “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.”
The Child and Adult Care Meals Program, which no longer applies to kindergartens, provides “additional meal and snack reimbursement” to eligible children and adults enrolled in child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care. It is a federal program. Center.
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