The Connecticut Supreme Court heard oral arguments (audio of full arguments) in Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities v. Edge Fitness LLC, (5/5/2021). Courthouse News Service reports in detail on the oral arguments and describes the issues involved: In the underlying case, two gyms run by Edge Fitness set aside special workout areas only for women, catering primarily to devout Muslim and Jewish women who are forbidden by their religious beliefs to exercise…

In Pritchard v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, (WD WA, May 4, 2021), a Washington federal district court held that denying a transgender male insurance coverage for treatment of gender dysphoria violates the sex discrimination ban in the Affordable Care Act.  At issue was an exclusion in the Catholic Health Initiatives Health Plan that prevented a minor covered by his mother’s health insurance from receiving an implant that delivers puberty-delaying hormones and a…

 In-Cyprus reports today: The European Commission has decided to appoint former crisis management and ebola coordination Commissioner Christos Stylianides, a Cypriot national, as Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU, effective immediately. According to the Commission, the Special Envoy will be attached to Vice-President Margaritis Schinas, who is in charge of leading the Commission`s dialogue with churches and religious associations or communities, and with philosophical and non-confessional…

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday heard oral arguments (video of full arguments) in Hecox v. Little, (5/4/2021).  In the case, an Idaho federal district court (full text of decision) in August 2020  held unconstitutional Idaho’s law that bars transgender women from participating on women’s sports teams. Yahoo News reports on the oral arguments.…

On Sunday, President Joe Biden issued a statement (full text) extending warm wishes from himself and the First Lady to their friends in the Orthodox Christian community observing Easter on that day. The statement said in part: This is also a season of remembrance—to honor the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for the world and to stand in solidarity with all those in the Orthodox community who have been persecuted for their faith and…

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte recently signed Senate Bill 280 (full text) which provides in part: The sex of a person designated on a birth certificate may be amended only if the department receives a certified copy of an order from a court with appropriate jurisdiction indicating that the sex of the person born in Montana has been changed b y surgical procedure. Metro Weekly reports on the new law.…