World Vision Wins LGBTQ Hiring Case

By: Paul Goldberg, Senior Editor | JRL CHARTS – LGBT Politics USA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — (August 8, 2025) — In a high-profile legal battle with national implications, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Christian relief agency World Vision’s right to revoke a job offer from an applicant in a same-sex marriage — but stopped short of granting religious nonprofits unlimited hiring power.

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The unanimous decision applies the ministerial exception — a First Amendment doctrine allowing religious institutions to hire key staff who perform “vital religious duties.” The case centered on Aubry McMahon, a married lesbian who applied for a remote customer service representative (CSR) position in late 2020.

McMahon initially agreed to follow the organization’s standards of conduct, which bar sexual relationships outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. Days after receiving a job offer in January 2021, she told the ministry she and her wife were expecting a child. Four days later, World Vision rescinded the offer.

Writing for the panel, Senior Circuit Judge Richard C. Tallman — joined by Judges Ronald M. Gould and Morgan B. Christen — found CSRs play a religious role by praying with donors and advancing the ministry’s mission. Tallman stressed, however, that not all staff, such as secretaries or custodians, would qualify for ministerial protection.

“This decision reaffirms the narrow scope of the ministerial exception,” Tallman wrote, warning against applying it to every position within a faith-based organization.

Legal experts remain split. Brad Jacob of Regent University says Title VII’s religious exemption already gives broad hiring rights to faith-based employers. Becky Dummermuth of First Liberty Institute says the ruling highlights ongoing tensions between state nondiscrimination laws and federal religious protections.

The decision comes as another 9th Circuit panel reviews a similar case, Union Gospel Mission of Yakima v. Brown, which could further define religious hiring boundaries. Many expect the fight to eventually reach the Supreme Court — a showdown poised to shape the future of LGBTQ employment rights and religious freedom in the U.S.

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