Right to Life of Michigan filed a federal lawsuit Feb. 6 against Michigan officials, alleging that a state amendment violates its First Amendment rights by forcing it to recruit and hire pro-abortion individuals.
Michigan amended its employment discrimination law in 2023 to include abortion under the umbrella of discrimination on the basis of sex. Under the law, it is illegal to refuse to hire, recruit, or otherwise discriminate against an individual because of their support for abortion or their decision to have one, according to the suit.
Right to Life of Michigan says the law restricts it from explaining its pro-life mission and requirements to job applicants and forces the organization to cover abortions in its employee insurance plans. Failure to comply with the law carries large fines and loss of state-issued licenses, among other penalties.
The organization argues that the law violates its First Amendment freedoms “to join with others to further a common cause and to refrain from participating in activities that contradict their beliefs,” according to the lawsuit.
Amber Roseboom, the president of Right to Life of Michigan, stated in a press release that the organization should have the right to hire employees who unequivocally support life.
“Governor Whitmer’s abortion-only response to unplanned pregnancy is a disservice to women, families, and the people of Michigan,” she said. “The governor and her allies in the state legislature have proven time and again that they are hell-bent on curbing the good work of our state’s non-profit organizations that offer women life-affirming options for unplanned pregnancy care.”
Right to Life of Michigan is joined in the suit by Pregnancy Resource Center, and both are represented by legal nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). According to an ADF press release, the organizations have not been including pro-life mission statements in their job advertisements and have received applications from pro-abortion individuals.
“It makes no sense to force pro-life organizations to hire employees who disagree with that view,” ADF Senior Counsel Bryan Neihart stated in the release. “Pro-life groups should be free to share the message of hope and joy with women and families experiencing a difficult season through employees who share their common goal.”