JUDGE DISMISSSES SUIT OVER CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES FOR DISPLAYING A PRIDE FLAG OUTSIDE FEDERAL OFFICES

By Miriam Raftery

March 30, 2018 (San Diego) – A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed against several members of Congress, including Susan Davis (D-San Diego) for displaying a rainbow gay pride flag outside her offices.  U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss rejected arguments by the plaintiff, Chris Sevier, who had argued that displaying the flag amounted to establishment of a religion and thus violated the establishment clause of the constitution.

The judge noted that mere expression of values does not amount to a religion, as courts have previously held in suits that sought to bar opinions on issues ranging from nuclear weapons to Earth Day.

Congresswoman Davis issued this statement in response to the court’s dismissal: “The rainbow flag is a symbol of commitment to full equality, freedom, and love and I will continue to display it outside my D.C. and San Diego offices. It’s clear this misguided lawsuit was completely without merit and the court has said as much with this dismissal.  “These lawsuits attacking equality only strengthen my resolve to fight to fulfill our nation’s principles of liberty, freedom and equality.”

View the court’s opinion and order.