In East Baton Rouge, a controversy has emerged following the dismissal of Pastor Luke Ash, a former library employee who claims he was fired for refusing to use a coworker’s preferred pronouns, citing his religious beliefs. Pastor Lewis Richerson, along with other local pastors, publicly supported Ash during a recent library board meeting, arguing that the termination violates religious liberty and the First Amendment.
Richerson emphasized that Ash’s refusal was rooted in his Christian conviction that God created only two genders, male and female. A letter co-authored by Richerson and Pastor David Goza was submitted to the library board, asserting that the library’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies conflict with foundational Christian beliefs and effectively exclude Christians from public employment unless they remain silent about their faith.
The letter frames the issue as a religious liberty crisis, referencing historical Baptist advocacy for religious freedom, including support for the First Amendment. Richerson argues that forcing Ash to use pronouns that contradict his beliefs is coercion and a violation of his constitutional rights. He also contends that public institutions should not require employees to compromise their faith to maintain employment.
When asked whether Ash knowingly accepted the library’s inclusivity policies, Richerson stated that Ash was unaware of such requirements at the time of hiring. Even if he had known, Richerson believes public institutions should not impose policies that conflict with religious convictions.
The pastors are demanding Ash’s reinstatement and a revision of the library’s DEI policies. Despite growing public attention and support from figures like Franklin Graham and Tony Perkins, the library board has remained silent, citing HR confidentiality. Richerson calls for continued public pressure to prompt policy change and protect religious freedom in public institutions.