By: Paul Goldberg – Senior Correspondent | LGBT Politics USA

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — (June 27, 2026) — A federal appeals court has revived a closely watched lawsuit accusing Alaska Airlines of religious discrimination after the company terminated two flight attendants who criticized its public support for expanded LGBTQ legal protections.




In a decision issued Wednesday, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that sufficient evidence exists for a jury to determine whether the airline unlawfully discriminated against the employees because of their Christian beliefs.

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Flight Attendants Challenged Company Support for Equality Act

The dispute stems from events in 2021 after Alaska Airlines publicly endorsed the proposed Equality Act, federal legislation designed to expand protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, and other areas.

The two flight attendants posted separate comments on the airline’s internal employee forum questioning the company’s support for the legislation.

According to court filings, one employee asked whether a corporation could “regulate morality,” while another argued that the Equality Act could negatively affect religious liberty and women’s rights.

Alaska Airlines removed the posts and later terminated both employees following an internal investigation, citing violations of the company’s anti-discrimination and workplace conduct policies.




Appeals Court Says Religious Bias Claim Deserves Trial

Writing for the panel, Circuit Judge Daniel Bress concluded that a reasonable jury could find the airline’s actions were motivated, at least in part, by the employees’ religious beliefs.

The opinion stated that an employee does not need to quote specific religious scripture for workplace speech to receive protection under federal employment discrimination laws.

The panel also noted that both employees referenced their Christian beliefs during the company’s internal investigation, information the judges said could be relevant when evaluating the airline’s motives.




Judge Kenneth Lee joined the majority opinion.

Judge Morgan Christen agreed with most of the ruling but partially dissented, writing that one plaintiff’s original post did not clearly communicate a religious message and therefore should not have been included in the revived discrimination claim.

Claims Against Flight Attendants Union Also Reinstated

The appeals court also revived claims against the Association of Flight Attendants, which the plaintiffs accuse of failing to adequately represent them following their termination.

The panel concluded that federal labor law does not automatically prevent workers from pursuing certain state-law discrimination claims against labor unions, aligning its decision with rulings from other federal appellate courts.




Religious Liberty Organization Represents Plaintiffs

The plaintiffs are represented by First Liberty Institute, a nonprofit legal organization specializing in religious liberty litigation.

Following the ruling, senior counsel Stephanie Taub said the decision reinforces longstanding workplace protections for religious employees.

She argued that employers cannot lawfully terminate workers solely because of their sincerely held religious beliefs.

What Happens Next?

The ruling does not determine whether Alaska Airlines violated the law. Instead, it allows the lawsuit to proceed toward trial, where a jury will evaluate whether the airline’s actions constituted unlawful religious discrimination under applicable federal and state laws.

Neither Alaska Airlines nor the Association of Flight Attendants immediately issued public comments following the appellate court’s decision.

The case is expected to draw continued national attention as it sits at the intersection of religious freedom, workplace policies, employee speech, and LGBTQ civil rights—issues that continue to generate significant legal and political debate across the United States.

Stay with JRL CHARTS LGBT Politics News for continuing coverage of federal court decisions, LGBTQ civil rights, workplace discrimination cases, and the legal developments shaping equality across the United States.




Paul Goldberg
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