A multi-part course on Biblical manhood will be allowed back in Minnesota prisons after the U.S. Court of Appeals issued a 2-1 ruling to that effect. The decision is the latest twist in an ongoing legal saga about the types of classes that are allowed in state prisons.
Last year, Anthony Schmitt filed a lawsuit against the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) after the agency barred a class called “The Quest for Authentic Manhood” from being taught at Minnesota Correctional Facility-St. Cloud. Schmitt had taught the course to over a thousand inmates between 2012 and 2023.
The course, which was voluntary, offered inmates a chance to learn about what it means to be men who follow Jesus Christ.
According to Schmitt’s lawsuit, he received an email in July of 2023 from DOC Assistant Commissioner Jolene Rebertus which informed him that DOC will no longer allow the course to be taught at MCF-St. Cloud.
Assistant Commissioner Robertus wrote, “The program directly conflicts with the diversity, equity, and inclusivity values of the department by defining manhood, or the study of masculinity, through a biblical lens of what a ‘real man looks like.”
“Throughout all sessions reviewed, men were only identified as heterosexual, seeking ideal relationships and marriage with women. It is evident that throughout this curriculum, manhood can only be achieved through heterosexual relationships,” Robertus explained.
The assistant commissioner also said the course “teaches participants about manhood through a lens of discrimination, exclusivity, gender biases, and stereotypes that not only contradict the DOC’s mission of providing transformational programming, but can be hurtful to participants, their families, and victims.”
Prevented from teaching the course, Schmitt filed a federal lawsuit against the DOC.
In his lawsuit, Schmitt said the agency was illegally establishing a denominational preference and violating his First Amendment rights by banning the course.
The U.S. District Court of Minnesota ultimately denied Schmitt’s request for a preliminary injunction that would allow him to continue teaching the class.
On Thursday, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals reversed the lower Court’s ruling in a 2-1 decision. As such, Schmitt can resume teaching the course until the matter is fully adjudicated.
The two judges that ruled in Schmitt’s favor were appointed by President George W. Bush and President Donald Trump. The dissenting judge was appointed by President Barack Obama.
Schmitt has been represented by the Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC) and True North Legal throughout the case. Further proceedings will take place in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota.
“The court’s decision is a clear victory against viewpoint discrimination,” said Alexandra Howell, a UMLC attorney. “The [DOC] attempted to cancel a program based on its religious content simply because it didn’t align with a preferred political ideology. The Eighth Circuit correctly found that the First Amendment does not allow for such censorship.”
In a statement to Alpha News, a DOC spokesperson said the agency “has received the decision and is in the process of reviewing it. Because the litigation is still active, the DOC has no further comment.”
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