Seattle Pacific University leaders sued over LGBTQ policies

Several students and faculty members at Seattle Public University have filed a lawsuit over the school's anti-LGBTQ policies.

The lawsuit is against members of SPU's Board of Trustees. Plaintiffs claim that SPU is not fulfilling its duties as a university and is adding to enrollment challenges.

SPU has faced pressure this year over its policy to not hire members of the LGBTQ community. Awareness of the private Christian university's LGBTQ policies was heightened when students and staff held protests in spring.

The Washington State Attorney General's Office then launched an investigation into SPU's LGBTQ policies and hiring practices, looking into potential discrimination.

SPU has previously argued that, as a religious organization, it does not have to follow anti-discrimination laws. It has also sued the state over the AG's investigation. SPU's leadership has claimed that the Constitution allows the university to require staff to "agree" with the its perspective on marriage and faith. The AG's Office says the university's lawsuit is an attempt to obstruct a lawful investigation.

The lawsuit filed this week is the latest chapter in SPU's battle over its LGBTQ policies. NPR reports that 16 plaintiffs, along with Our Community Protest, LLC, have sued SPU's Board for its refusal to hire members of the LGBTQ community.

"This case is about six men who act as if they, and the educational institution they are charged to protect, are above the law," the lawsuit's introduction reads. "They are powerful men who use their positions, as trustees of Seattle Pacific University (SPU), to advance the interests of a religious denomination at the expense of the students, alumni, staff, and faculty of the university."

The lawsuit claims that six members on the Board of Trustees have formed a "rogue board" to advance their religious interests. It states that the Board inflicts trauma on the campus and it must be "held accountable for placing their personal religious beliefs above their fiduciary duties to SPU and its people." Plaintiffs claim the university's hiring policy is "loathed" by the SPU community.

The university has not yet responded to the lawsuit, but it did provide KUOW's Soundside a statement: "Seattle Pacific University is aware of the lawsuit and will respond in due course.”

Read NPR's full coverage here.