The conservative majority American Supreme Court has agreed to review a lawsuit brought by Catholic preschools in Colorado against a regulation that requires them to accept children of gay or transgender parents to receive public funding.
The state, known for its liberal policies, offers assistance to pay for public or private preschools, including religious ones, but has withheld public funds from Catholic institutions due to violations of non-discrimination rules.
The Archdiocese of Denver, two Colorado Catholic parishes, and two parents, Dan and Lisa Sheley, filed the complaint. After lower courts dismissed their claims, they turned to the Supreme Court, which is known for addressing significant societal issues in the United States. The Court will examine their request starting from October, with a decision expected by June 2027.
In a plea to the Supreme Court, the state of Colorado defended its position that preschools must accept students regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or the sexual orientation of parents or children. The plaintiffs seek an exemption from this law to receive public funding while rejecting preschool students based on gender identity or sexual orientation of parents or children.
The American Supreme Court, composed of six conservative judges and three progressive judges, has shown receptiveness to religious arguments, particularly in cases originating from Colorado. In late March, the Court concluded that a law banning “conversion therapies” for LGBT+ minors in the state infringed on freedom of expression, siding with a Christian counselor who challenged it. However, in May 2025, the Court blocked direct funding for a religious school in Oklahoma.
