‘National Implications’: Hobby Lobby Loses Legal Battle On Transgender Bathrooms Case
August 25, 2021
The Second District Appellate Court has ruled against Christian-owned Hobby Lobby, stating that the retailer “discriminated” and violated the human rights of a biological male who sought to use the women’s bathroom due to his claimed “gender identity.”
Hobby Lobby was ordered by the court to pay “Meggan” Sommerville $220,000 for emotional distress and attorney fees from the years-long legal battle.
The court stated that Hobby Lobby disregarded Illinois State law, by asking Sommerville, an employee, not to use the women’s facilities, but to instead use the unisex restroom in the store.
The retailer asserted that they tried to be accommodating to Sommerville, but the Christian company urged that they do not believe an individual can simply change their gender.
The Judge took the opportunity to scold Hobby Lobby for their Christian Beliefs, stating, “Sommerville is female, just like the women who are permitted to use the women’s bathroom. The only reason that Sommerville is barred from using the women’s bathroom is that she is a transgender woman, unlike the other women (at least, as far as Hobby Lobby knows.)”
The ruling was a “first impressions” case, meaning that this jurisdiction had not previously made a ruling on this issue, therefore the court’s conclusion has set the precedent in the future.
Story by Harbinger's Daily .
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