Fraternity sues for right to discriminate
Christian fraternity sues University of Florida - ABC Action News - WFTS-TV - Local News, Sports, Weather, Video, Information and Breaking News for the Tampa Bay Area - Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater:
A Christian fraternity alleging discrimination is taking the University of Florida to court.
Beta Upsilon Chi's lawsuit says the university refuses to recognize it as a registered student group.
According to the lawsuit filed in federal court in Gainesville, school officials told the group it can't be registered because only Christian men are eligible for membership.
The organization that governs the university's Greek system prohibits religious discrimination.
Attorney Timothy Tracey of the Alliance Defense Fund says the group's First Amendment rights are being violated and that the university is imposing double standards.
The lawsuit says the fraternity is deprived of benefits including access to meeting space and the ability to advertise and recruit members on campus.
A university spokesman says the school doesn't comment on pending litigation.