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Advocates in Action
PRESS RELEASE | DEFENDING CONSCIENCE: ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM PETITION SUPREME COURT IN CALIFORNIA BAKER’S CASE
ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
CONTACT: NICOLE VELASCO
MEDIA@FAITH-FREEDOM.COM
Murrieta, CA — Advocates for Faith & Freedom has filed an amicus brief before the United States Supreme Court in support of Catharine Miller, owner of Cathy’s Creations, a Christian baker who is being punished by the State of California for living out her faith. The case asks the Court to correct a dangerous ruling that tramples both the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious liberty and the freedom of speech.
At stake is whether the government can force Christians to create messages that violate their biblical convictions. California courts have ruled that Miller’s custom wedding cakes are “just desserts” with no expressive meaning, ignoring clear precedent in Masterpiece Cakeshop and 303 Creative, where the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that custom wedding services are inherently expressive and protected from government-compelled speech.
“This case is about far more than cakes, it’s about whether the government can coerce believers to bow to the ideology of the day,” said Erin Mersino, Vice President and Chief of Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation at Advocates for Faith & Freedom. “The First Amendment guarantees that no American should be compelled to speak a message they reject. If the state can force a Christian baker to celebrate same-sex marriage, it can just as easily force any one of us to endorse views that violate our conscience and our faith.”
The amicus brief warns that the California decision deepens a national divide on how religious freedom and free speech are treated under state public accommodation laws. If left unchecked, the ruling gives states license to silence Christians in the marketplace by punishing them for their beliefs.
“Faithful Christians should never be put in the position of choosing between their livelihood and their obedience to God,” said Robert Tyler, President of Advocates for Faith & Freedom. “We urge the Supreme Court to step in, protect free expression, and reaffirm that no one should be compelled by government to celebrate what their faith compels them to reject.”
Advocates for Faith & Freedom will continue to fight for religious liberty in the courts, ensuring that biblical truth is not erased by state power.
Full brief can be viewed here.
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Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts. Our mission is to engage in cases that will uphold our religious liberty and America’s heritage and to educate Americans about our fundamental constitutional rights.
PRESS RELEASE | VICTORY FOR FAIRNESS: FEDERAL COURT ALLOWS KEY TITLE IX AND FREE SPEECH CLAIMS TO ADVANCE IN LANDMARK CASE AGAINST RIVERSIDE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2025
CONTACT: NICOLE VELASCO
MEDIA@FAITH-FREEDOM.COM
Murrieta, CA — In a significant win for female athletes and student rights, the United States District Court for the Central District of California has ruled in favor of plaintiffs T.S., K.S., and Save Girls’ Sports, allowing their core Title IX discrimination claim to proceed against the Riverside Unified School District. The court’s order, issued on September 24, 2025, also confirms that the plaintiffs’ First Amendment free speech claims have survived dismissal, marking a crucial step forward in the fight for equal opportunities and free expression in schools. Additionally, the court granted leave to amend other claims, providing a clear path to strengthen the case and seek full justice.
The plaintiffs filed suit alleging that the District’s actions, including the favorable treatment of a male athlete on the girls’ cross-country team, violated Title IX by discriminating against female athletes. In denying the School Defendants’ motion to dismiss the intentional discrimination claim under Title IX (Claim Four), the court recognized the plaintiffs’ allegations of unequal treatment, such as relaxed attendance policies and individualized coaching provided to the male athlete but not to the female athletes.
“This ruling is a resounding victory for fairness in women’s sports and the protection of free speech,” said Julianne Fleischer, Senior Counsel for Advocates for Faith & Freedom and attorney for the plaintiffs. “The court’s decision to let our key Title IX claim proceed sends a strong message that schools cannot treat the rights of our female athletes as second-class.”
The court also upheld the plaintiffs’ standing to pursue monetary damages, emphasizing in Footnote 7 that the mere operation of California’s AB 1266—allowing transgender athletes to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity—constitutes a cognizable injury under Title IX. This recognition underscores the court’s acknowledgment that even baseline participation policies can harm female athletes’ opportunities, bolstering the plaintiffs’ position as they advance.
“We are one step closer to restoring fairness and safety in girls’ sports,” added Fleischer. “We look forward to holding officials accountable and giving voice to the girls who have been silenced.”
The plaintiffs plan to file an amended complaint by October 15, 2025, addressing the court’s guidance. This case continues to draw national attention, highlighting ongoing debates about equity, free speech, and inclusion in school sports.
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Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts. Our mission is to engage in cases that will uphold our religious liberty and America’s heritage and to educate Americans about our fundamental constitutional rights.
PRESS RELEASE | CALIFORNIA SCHOOL DISTRICTS URGE SUPREME COURT TO PROTECT FEMALE STUDENTS’ SAFETY AND FAIRNESS IN SPORTS, FACILITIES
ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, SEPTEMBER 22, 2025
CONTACT: LORI SANADA
MEDIA@FAITH-FREEDOM.COM
Murrieta, CA — On Friday, a coalition of California public school districts and charter schools, including John Adams Academies, Chino Valley Unified School District, Temecula Valley Unified School District, Murrieta Valley Unified School District, Perris Union High School District, Placer Union High School, Orange County Board of Education, and Kern County Board of Education filed an amicus curiae brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of West Virginia’s laws safeguarding women’s sports and facilities.
Represented by Advocates for Faith & Freedom, Amici urge the Supreme Court to reverse a Fourth Circuit decision in B.P.J. by Jackson v. W. Virginia State Bd. of Educ., 98 F.4th 542 (4th Cir. 2024), which struck down state protections for female athletes. The districts argue that expanding “sex” under Title IX to include gender identity ignores biological realities, endangering female students’ physical safety, psychological well-being, and equal opportunities.
“For nearly forty years Title IX allowed female athletes to thrive in their own competitions and protected girls in their locker rooms and bathrooms,” said Erin Mersino, Vice President and Chief of Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation at Advocates for Faith & Freedom. “Title IX was a hard-won victory for women’s equality, built on recognizing sex-based differences—not erasing them. Our clients have bravely asked the Supreme Court to uphold the original meaning of Title IX and protect the rights of their female students.”
Drawing on both historical and scientific evidence, the brief exposes the harsh realities female students face when required to share spaces with male students, including psychological trauma—such as embarrassment, withdrawal, and fear—as well as physical risks and undeniable athletic disadvantages. California school districts face a legal bind: either comply with the state’s radical gender-identity mandates and violate federal Title IX protections, or defend the rights and safety of young women and face lawsuits from their own state.
The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in W. Virginia State Bd. of Educ. v. B.P.J. by Jackson (No. 24-43) this term. The case could restore Title IX’s original intent: equal opportunity rooted in reality, not fantasy.
The full brief is available here.
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Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts. Our mission is to engage in cases that will uphold our religious liberty and America’s heritage and to educate Americans about our fundamental constitutional rights.