Seattle Pacific University sues AG Ferguson over investigation into LGBTQ+ employee ban

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson last week confirmed that his office is investigating Seattle Pacific University’s hiring practices, after the university filed a lawsuit in an attempt to stop the investigation.

The investigation follows protests and a sit-in by SPU students and faculty over the school's "employee lifestyle expectation" policy, which bans the hiring of LGBTQ+ employees.

Read more about AG Ferguson's investigation here.

Attorney General Ferguson wants to know whether SPU illegally discriminated against LGBTQ+ employees, and is asking for the school to turn over information around hiring, promoting, disciplining or terminating school faculty and staff. The AG's office is also asking for employee contact information and job descriptions.

SPU says the investigation violates the school's religious freedom.

Soundside guest host Bill Radke spoke with Seattle Times staff reporter Nina Shapiro about the latest update in the fight over SPU's employee lifestyle expectation policy.