The Justice Department is backing a group of Catholic nuns who say New York’s transgender policies could force them to choose between their religious beliefs and continuing to care for indigent cancer patients in their final days.

New York Transgender Mandate

The New York transgender mandate, the ‘Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, and people living with HIV long-term care facility residents’ bill of rights,’ bans long-term care facilities and staff ‘from discriminating against any resident on the basis of a resident’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or HIV status,’ according to a press release from Hochul’s office.

The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, who operate a home for dying cancer patients in Westchester County, argue New York’s law could subject them to fines, loss of their operating license and other penalties if they refuse to comply with requirements related to gender identity, pronouns, room assignments and access to sex-specific facilities.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said, ‘States should take notice that they cannot require Americans to abandon their religious beliefs in the name of woke gender ideology.’ The Justice Department’s support for the nuns is seen as a significant development in the ongoing debate over religious freedom and transgender rights.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.