that ended in an armed confrontation. The court determined that the nondenominational Christian church in Katy and Hotze's health and wellness business are not mandated to abide by federal discrimination law and can therefore decide for themselves whether to hire or keep employees based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.
Hotze and Bear Creek did not immediately respond to a request for comment. And the lawyers on both sides of the case declined to comment because the case is still pending.The EEOC had argued the company was biased against LGBT workers and its practices with employees amounted to"unlawful sex discrimination" under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The EEOC declined to comment, and Justice Department officials said they intend to provide a comment. The trio of judges in the case were Jerry E. Smith, 76, a circuit judge appointed by President Ronald Reagan; Edith Brown Clement, 75, a circuit judge appointed by President George W. Bush; and Cory Todd Wilson, 52, a circuit judge appointed by President Donald Trump.