Ward v. Wilbanks (2010-Current)
Julea Ward was kicked out of her Eastern Michigan University’s counseling program after she declined to counsel a student against her religious beliefs. Ward lost in the lower courts but on January 27, 2012, the Sixth Circuit issued a major victory for the constitutional rights of individuals with religious beliefs. The court held that Eastern Michigan University may have violated the Constitution by expelling a counseling student based on her religious beliefs about homosexual conduct. The case is now on remand in district court.
The Becket Fund submitted a friend-of-the-court brief in the case, making arguments that the court ultimately adopted under the Free Exercise Clause. The Becket Fund also assisted with Ms. Ward’s primary brief.
*Photo Courtesy of ADF
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1-27-2012, Court says student’s faith may have led to expulsion, Religion News Service via The Washington Post, Adelle M. Banks
1-27-2012, College Student Counselor Can Defer Homosexual Clients, Court Rules, The Christian Post, Alex Murashko
1-27-2011, A Major Victory for Religious Liberty and Freedom of Conscience, David French, National Review Online
7-13-2011, Democrat’s bill would let students like Julea Ward decline to counsel clients over beliefs, Cindy Heflin, Detroit Free Press
7-13-2011, Democrat’s bill would let counseling students decline clients over beliefs, American Family Association Michigan
5-15-2011, Bill targets EMU after dismissal of student Julea Ward over refusal to counsel gay client, Cindy Heflin, Detroit Free Press
