"Love In Action" Claims Licensing Violates Its Free Exercise Rights

Friday's Washington Blade reports that Love In Action, a Memphis, Tennessee Christ-centered ministry that operates group homes offering treatment designed to turn gay people straight, has filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Tennessee. The state wants the group to be licensed as a mental health supportive living facility if it has more than one mentally ill person in residence. Love In Action claims that it does not offer mental health care, but instead ministers from a Christian perspective. Its website says that it exists to help people align their behavior with their faith. The suit alleges that requiring the group to obtain a license would violate its rights to free speech and free exercise of religion. Love In Action is represented by the Alliance Defense Fund.