SW News: Darren Patterson Christian Academy, a faith-based school in the United States, has filed a religious discrimination action after authorities in the state of Colorado advised it that it needed to amend its policy honoring the biblical concept of two biological sexes in order to qualify for universal preschool funding.

In the complaint filed in U.S. District Court on Tuesday, Darren Patterson Christian Academy of Buena Vista claimed it was told by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood and Universal Preschool Program that it must employ homosexuals at its Busy Bees preschool who use their preferred clothing, restrooms, and pronouns.

State officials asked that the private Christian institution change its policy requiring employees to teach biblical topics and overnight trip students to stay in hotels based on their biological sex in order to comply with non-discrimination regulations. The case contends that changing a school's name or curriculum is unconstitutional due to the institution's religious affiliation.

According to the case, the government cannot exclude a school from participating in a public program because of its internal religious activities, and the Constitution explicitly states that religious institutions may hire people who share their values.

Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian conservative legal advocacy non-profit, nonetheless serves as legal counsel for the group.

Following the establishment of a universal preschool program on July 1, the state of Colorado will offer at least 15 hours of state-funded preschool programs to every four-year-old in the state starting in the following school year. Meanwhile, the idea would save Colorado parents an estimated $6,000 each year, according to Gov. Jared Polis' administration.

Since 1982, Darren Patterson Christian Academy has operated Busy Bees with state certification. According to the lawsuit, the institution sought universal preschool in order to expand enrollment, and state officials initially backed the institution until rejecting the school's religious exemption request after learning about the gender and sexuality limitations. As a result, the school has refused to change its policies, claiming religious beliefs are one of the reasons many parents enroll their children.