YU Pride Alliance et al v. Yeshiva University et al

The New York Civil Liberties Union, American Civil Liberties Union, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State submitted an amicus brief to the New York State Appellate Division, First Department in support of the plaintiffs in YU Pride Alliance et al. v. Yeshiva University et al., a case involving Yeshiva University’s refusal to recognize an LGBTQ student organization on its campus after the trial court held it must do so under the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”).

Yeshiva University argues that it is exempt from the NYCHRL, and in the alternative, argues that the church autonomy doctrine forbids courts from determining whether the statutory exemption applies to it. This amicus brief clarifies that the church autonomy doctrine does not bar courts from determining whether a statutory exemption applies or from applying the NYCHRL to Yeshiva University, and cautions against expanding the doctrine, which would undermine anti-discrimination protections in New York and nationwide.