The San Diego Human Relations Commission removed Dennis Hodges for his religious beliefs on human creation and transgenderism.

Pastor Dennis Hodges was removed from an advisory board on police and community relations in San Diego County because of his deeply held religious convictions. The lawsuit Advocates for Faith & Freedom has filed on his behalf alleges the Mayor violated Pastor Hodges's First Amendment Rights by removing him from the commission because of his religious beliefs.

Mr. Hodges was appointed to the advisory board because of his law enforcement experience and African-American heritage. Mr. Hodges has dedicated his life to public service and served as a bridge between law enforcement and the community. The Mayor’s removal of Mr. Hodges was not based on his credentials but on his beliefs on human creation and transgenderism – issues that are unrelated to his role on the advisory board.

Press Release | Advocates For Faith & Freedom Files a Motion to Reconsider on Behalf of Pastor Dennis Hodges

ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 24, 2024

CONTACT: nicole velasco @
media@faith-freedom.COM

Murrieta, CA – This week, Advocates for Faith and Freedom filed a Motion to Reconsider a case after a judge dismissed our client, Pastor Dennis Hodges’, lawsuit against the San Diego Mayor. The San Diego Mayor effectively removed Pastor Hodges from his volunteer position on the Citizens Advisory Board on Police/Community Relations for the City of San Diego after Pastor Hodges chose to abstain from voting on an agenda item that conflicted with his sincerely held religious beliefs regarding transgenderism. 

The Court erroneously dismissed Pastor Hodges’ lawsuit leading Pastor Hodges to file a Motion to Reconsider. The Court classified Pastor Hodges’ personal religious beliefs as political rhetoric not protected by the First Amendment. By classifying his religious beliefs as political rhetoric and upholding Pastor Hodges’ removal from the Advisory Board, the Court created an unconstitutional litmus test based on religion for those who wish to hold office. Additionally, the Court never evaluated if Pastor Hodges sufficiently pleaded his case for his free exercise of religion and free speech claims. A reconsideration of Pastor Hodges’ case is necessary to undo the unconstitutional litmus test and bring justice for Pastor Hodges. 

“We are deeply saddened by the Court’s decision to toss out Pastor Hodges’ lawsuit,” said Julianne Fleischer, legal counsel for Advocates for Faith and Freedom. “People of faith should never be discriminated against because of their convictions. The Court’s decision to dismiss Pastor Hodges’ case sets a dangerous precedent that allows government officials to participate in the prejudicial hiring and firing practices of government boards whenever individuals do not align with a particular religious ideology. The Court’s Order effectively created an unconstitutional religious test for public servants to hold public office. It is unacceptable that individuals of faith are being explicitly forbidden from serving in government simply because of their faith.” 

“I have dedicated my life to service,” said Pastor Dennis Hodges. “Though this case is ongoing, I will continue to stand up for religious people nationwide who have been discriminated against solely because of their faith. I am optimistic that our motion will succeed.” 

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Press Release | An African-American Pastor Was Removed from a Board on Police and Community Relations Because of His Religious Beliefs

ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, November 8, 2023

CONTACT: nicole velasco @
media@faith-freedom.COM

Murrieta, CA – Today, a lawsuit was filed by Advocates for Faith and Freedom on behalf of Pastor Dennis Hodges, who was removed from an advisory board on police and community relations in San Diego County because of his deeply held religious convictions. This lawsuit alleges the Mayor violated Pasto-r Hodges's First Amendment Rights by removing him from the commission because of his religious beliefs.

Mr. Hodges was appointed to the advisory board because of his law enforcement experience and African-American heritage. Mr. Hodges has dedicated his life to public service and served as a bridge between law enforcement and the community. The Mayor’s removal of Mr. Hodges was not based on his credentials but on his beliefs on human creation and transgenderism – issues that are unrelated to his role on the advisory board.

"People of faith should never be discriminated against because of their convictions,” said Mariah Gondeiro, Vice President and legal counsel for Advocates for Faith and Freedom. “Pastor Hodges's removal from this Commission sets a dangerous precedent for the prejudicial hiring and firing practices of government boards. It is unacceptable that individuals of faith are being explicitly forbidden from serving in government simply because of their faith. The Mayor of San Diego must be held accountable for his unconstitutional actions.”

“I have dedicated my life to service,” said Pastor Dennis Hodges. “I am standing up for religious people nationwide who have been discriminated against solely because of their faith. What happened to me at the hands of our government should never happen to anyone else.”

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Press Release

ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, June 10, 2022

CONTACT: nicole velasco @
media@faith-freedom.COM

For Immediate Release 06/10/2022, Murrieta, California – Yesterday, the San Diego Human Relations Commission held a special meeting to remove Dennis Hodges for saying “discriminatory” and “hateful” comments towards the transgender community. Thirteen brave Commissioners refused to remove him, but the threat of removal still exists so long as the Commission can rely on a vague and overbroad Code of Conduct to silence dissenting beliefs.

Mr. Hodges has dedicated his life to public service and ministry. He believes all creation is made in the image of God, and that we are to love all individuals, regardless of gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. Mr. Hodges is unabashed about his Christian beliefs, though, and has expressed that humans are to express their biological and creational differences as men and women.

The event that precipitated the removal of Mr. Hodges was on November 9, 2021, when the Commission discussed an agenda item regarding amplifying the voices of the San Diego transgender community. Mr. Hodges abstained from voting because of his sincerely held religious beliefs.

“The Commission’s effort to remove Mr. Hodges sets a dangerous precedent that one can be removed from their position for holding traditional, religious beliefs,” says Nate Kellum, Chief Litigation Counsel for Advocates for Faith and Freedom. “Mr. Hodges never discriminated against the transgender community. He simply refused to endorse an agenda that is antithetical to his Christian beliefs.”  

Pastor Hodges has retained Advocates for Faith and Freedom. Advocates is exploring all legal options available to Mr. Hodges.

Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts. Our mission is to engage in cases that will uphold our religious liberty and America’s heritage and to educate Americans about our fundamental constitutional rights.

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Time stamps:

Discussion of the resolution begins at 1:1:10.

Votes begins at 1:17:30.

Pastor Hodges abstains at 1:20:01.

Discussion begins regarding abstention at 1:23:12.

Pastor Hodges asked why he abstained at 1:32:30.

About Advocates for Faith & Freedom (www.faith-freedom.com): Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts.

Email info@faith-freedom.com to receive press releases. Also, join us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up-to-date on our progress in this case and others.