A new federal lawsuit alleges that Indiana State University violated the First Amendment rights of an LGBTQ community center after it revoked its ability to host work-study workers.
The university is engaging in “punishment and retaliation against the Pride Center because of its constitutionally protected speech and association and because of the viewpoint that the Pride Center expresses,” the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana said in its filing in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Indiana.
The nonprofit Pride Center of Terre Haute, a largely volunteer operation, hosts local Pride events, connects people with resources and provides educational information and workshops. It also serves as an advocate for Vigo County’s LGBTQ community.
“Given the fact that the Pride Center does not discriminate, there is no justification for ISU’s actions,” said Ken Falk, ACLU of Indiana’s legal director, in a statement. “The decision to defund this program is clearly based on the Pride Center’s support and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, all of which is supported by the First Amendment.”
The university did not respond to an IndyStar request for comment.
Indiana State pulled all federal funding for the center, pointing to a U.S. Department of Justice statement to avoid discriminatory practices, according to the complaint filed Sept. 15.
In a July 29 memo, the Department of Justice gave federal funding recipients instructions on how to avoid discrimination that were primarily focused on rooting out diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
The university told the center in an email that it was cutting financial support to comply with the federal government’s request. Opportunities within the center are decided by sexual orientation or gender identity and are unlawfully funded, according to a university email in the complaint.
The center and ACLU reject this claim and said it does not hire with a student’s identity in mind and serves all people regardless of sexuality or gender. The complaint noted that the center has hired non-LGBTQ students previously.
Four students had been working part time at the center when ISU cut off funding Aug. 15. Student wages were paid by the center, federal work-study funds and grants from the Sycamore Community Work Program. It no longer receives outside support for those roles.
The USA TODAY Network – Indiana’s coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: ACLU sues after university pulls federal money for Pride center
Reporting by Cate Charron, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
