September 2016 – Fort Des Moines Church of Christ in Iowa filed a lawsuit July 5 as a “pre-enforcement challenge” against the state’s public accommodation law, which the Civil Rights Commission could use to try and force churches to comply with transgender bathroom use. Alliance Defending Freedom is representing the church. The implication is that the law could be applied to any activity at a church that does not have a “bona fide religious purpose” or if it might make a person “of any particular gender identity” feel unwelcome. Examples would include a childcare program run out of a church or a polling place located in a church. Cornerstone Outreach, another Des Moines church, also sent an attorney demand letter concerning the law. Cornerstone is represented by First Liberty Institute.
