A Colorado bookstore, Born Again Used Books, has taken a bold stand against what it describes as a government overreach into its religious beliefs. The Christian bookstore, located in Colorado Springs, has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, challenging recent amendments to the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) that it claims compel the store to endorse ideologies contrary to its Christian values.
The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, highlights concerns over the revised language in CADA, which now includes "gender expression" protections that mandate the use of "chosen names" and how individuals prefer to be addressed. According to the bookstore’s owners, this law infringes on their First Amendment rights by forcing them to adopt language that contradicts their religious convictions regarding human sexuality.
Born Again Used Books argues that the law effectively prohibits them from using biologically accurate language in their customer interactions and publications. The complaint states, "This law requires Born Again Used Books to profess an ideological view it opposes, contradict the message espoused in the very books it sells, and avoid explaining its Christian beliefs about human sexuality." The bookstore fears that non-compliance could lead to severe penalties, including cease-and-desist orders and hefty fines.
The defendants in the case include notable figures such as Colorado Civil Rights Division Director Aubrey C. Sullivan and Attorney General Phil Weiser. The bookstore is being represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a well-known conservative legal organization that has successfully argued similar First Amendment cases before the Supreme Court.
Hal Frampton, a senior counsel with ADF, stated, "As the Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed, the government has no business trying to strip traditional views about sex and gender from the marketplace of ideas." He emphasized that the state cannot compel individuals to speak in ways that violate their deeply held religious beliefs, asserting that Born Again Used Books should not have to choose between adhering to the law and remaining true to its Christian principles.
The controversy stems from the passage of House Bill 25-1312, also known as the Kelly Loving Act, signed into law by Colorado Governor Jared Polis in May. This legislation was named after a transgender individual who tragically lost their life during the Club Q mass shooting in Colorado Springs in 2022. The law aims to provide robust protections for transgender individuals, but critics argue that it imposes undue restrictions on religious expression.
Anaya Robinson, a senior policy strategist with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Colorado, has defended the legislation, stating that the trans community requires clear legal protections. However, the bookstore’s lawsuit raises critical questions about the balance between protecting individual rights and preserving religious freedoms.
As this legal battle unfolds, it highlights a growing tension in society regarding the intersection of faith, free speech, and LGBTQ+ rights. Many are watching closely to see how the courts will interpret these laws and what implications they may have for religious organizations and businesses across the nation.
For those interested in following this case and its developments, more information can be found through the Alliance Defending Freedom and other legal resources that track First Amendment rights and religious freedom issues.
This lawsuit serves as a reminder of the ongoing debates surrounding religious liberty and civil rights, and it challenges all of us to consider the implications of laws that seek to balance these often conflicting interests.