In the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision earlier this week that ordered Yeshiva University to recognize an LGBTQ student group, the school has suspended all student club activity. In an email to students on Friday, university officials said that it “hold off on all undergraduate club activities while it immediately takes steps to follow the roadmap provided by the U.S. Supreme Court to protect YU’s religious freedom.”

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court cleared the way for the undergraduate LGBTQ group, ‘YU Pride Alliance’, to gain official recognition from the Jewish university in New York.  By a 5-4 vote Wednesday, the justices lifted a temporary hold on a court order that requires Yeshiva University to recognize the group. The YU Pride Alliance describes itself as “a supportive space for all students, of all sexual orientations and gender identities, to feel respected, visible, and represented.”

Following the ruling, the president of Yeshiva University, Rabbi Ari Berman, said that faith-based universities have the right to establish clubs within its understanding of the Torah.  He said:“Yeshiva University simply seeks that same right of self-determination. “The Supreme Court has laid out the roadmap for us to find expedited relief and we will follow their instructions.” Berman also said ” the university’s commitment and love for our LGBTQ students are unshakeable.”

The university, an Orthodox Jewish institution in New York, argued that granting recognition to the Pride Alliance would violate its sincere religious beliefs.  However, the club argued that Yeshiva’s plea to the Supreme Court was premature, also noting the university already has recognized a gay pride club at its law school. A New York state court sided with the student group and ordered the university to recognize the club immediately.

Editorial credit: Roy Harris / Shutterstock.com