Catholic Bookstore Wins Victory in Freedom-of-Speech Fight With Florida City

Catholic store in Florida wins a “religious exemption” from city’s human rights ordinance that could compel use of preferred pronouns not aligned with biology.

A jar on a counter in the Queen of Angels Catholic Store in Jacksonville, Fla. collects prayer requests from patrons so staff can pray for them. Courtesy of Alliance Defending Freedom

A Catholic bookstore in North Florida has settled a federal lawsuit with the City of Jacksonville over legislation suggesting businesses must use preferred pronouns in order to provide a “welcoming” environment.

Under Jacksonville’s human rights ordinance (HRO), failing to use requested pronouns could be deemed as discrimination against people who identify as nonbinary, gender-fluid, or transgender.