Some Door County church pastors support a court ruling in a freedom of religion case in De Pere. A Brown County judge ruled an ordinance banning discrimination against transgender individuals violates the De Pere church's freedom of religion. That ordinance prohibited discrimination by landlords, employers and businesses based on gender identity or expression. Several churches and a Christian-themed radio station sued to be exempted from the ordinance based on their beliefs and teachings. Pastor Shannon Souther, of Sturgeon Bay Community Church, calls the circuit court decision a proper interpretation.
Pastor Mark Engelbert, of Door Bible Baptist Church, believes the Bill of Rights guarantees individual rights. He says issues arise, however, when one group or person's rights conflict with another group or person's rights.
Similar lawsuits have been brought by churches in Austin, Texas over a similar anti-discrimination ordinance protecting LGBTQ residents.
