North Coast Women's Care Medical Group v. Superior Court of San Diego County

UPDATE: On August 19, 2008, the California Supreme Court held that the First Amendment rights of free exercise of religion and free speech do not exempt doctors from complying with a state law prohibition on sexual orientation discrimination. The Court ruled against a doctor who sought a religious exemption from performing artificial insemination for a lesbian couple.

On March 30, 2007, the Center filed a friend of the court brief in the Supreme Court of California on behalf of North Coast Women’s Care Medical Group in a case involving a physician’s right to decline treatment that would violate her conscience. The case was originally brought against North Coast Women’s by Guadalupe Benitez, who claims she was unlawfully discriminated against under California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act.

Benitez sued North Coast Women’s Group because Dr. Christine Brody declined to perform intrauterine insemination on Benitez. Dr. Brody told Benitez and in their initial consultation that her religious beliefs prevented her from performing this procedure for lesbian couples.

The California Supreme Court heard oral argument on May 28, 2008.

Litigation Documents

California Supreme Court Opinion - August 18, 2008

Amicus Brief of the Christian Legal Society - March 30, 2007

Blog Commentary

The Center Blog, Oral Argument Set in California Health Care Conscience Case - April 30, 2008