Catholic nuns who have been looking after dying patients for decades have sued the state of New York over gender laws which could see the carers jailed.
The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne filed a lawsuit against Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday opposing a bill that requires facilities to assign rooms by gender identity, not biological sex - something the nuns said clashes with their religion.
Hochul signed the bill into law in November, 2023, which states that long-term care facilities and their staff cannot discriminate against 'any resident on the basis of a resident's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or HIV status.'
'New York's seniors should be able to live their lives with the dignity and respect they deserve, free from discrimination of every kind,' Hochul said on the press release at the time.
'LGBTQIA+ and HIV-positive seniors are among our most vulnerable populations, and today we are taking steps to ensure that all New Yorkers- regardless of who they are, who they love or their HIV status - find safety and support in places where they need it most. Hate will never have a place in New York.'
However, the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne claim that the bill forces them to choose between their mission and faith and facing fines, license loss or jail time.
The group takes patients into their care at the 42-bed Rosary Hill Home in Hawthorne, New York and 'provide comfort and nursing care for patients who are poor or suffering from incurable cancer.'
'We are consecrated religious Sisters and have one mission,' Mother Marie Edward OP told Fox News. 'It is to provide comfort and skilled care to persons dying of cancer who cannot afford nursing care.'
The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne filed a lawsuit against Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday opposing a new bill that prohibits long-term care facilities from turning away HIV-positive LGBTQ+ people
The group take patients into their care at the 42-bed Rosary Hill Home in Hawthorne, New York and 'provide comfort and nursing care for patients who are poor or suffering from incurable cancer'
Hochul, seen above, signed the bill into law in November, 2023, which states that long-term care facilities and their staff cannot discriminate against 'any resident on the basis of a resident's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or HIV status'
Mother Edward went on to say that their work is supported by 'the goodness of our benefactors,' and it hasn't discriminated against anyone on the basis of race, religion or sex
'We do not take insurance or government funds or money from our patients or families. The care is totally free.'
Mother Edward went on to say that their work is supported by 'the goodness of our benefactors,' and it hasn't discriminated against anyone on the basis of race, religion or sex.
'We do it because Jesus taught us that, when the least among us are sick, we should care for them, as if they were Christ himself,' she told the outlet.
The religious group claims that the law forces them to assign rooms to patients by gender identity and not biological sex, allow expression, relationships and identity practices, and use preferred pronouns.
It also requires staff training in gender ideology, post a public notice of compliance with the law and allow opposite-sex bathroom access, a press release stated.
'We Sisters have taken care of patients from all walks of life, ideologies and faiths.
'We treat every patient with dignity and Christian charity. We have never had any complaints. We cannot implement New York's mandate without violating our Catholic faith.'
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The group claim that the law forces them to assign rooms to patients by gender identity and not biological sex, use preferred pronouns, require staff training in gender ideology, post a public notice of compliance with the law and allow opposite-sex bathroom access
The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne faces fines up to $2,000 per violation, up to $5,000, court-ordered forced compliance, and loss of licensing and up to one year in prison and fines up to $10,000
'The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne and Rosary Hill Home are members of the Catholic Benefits Association,' the release added.
'They have, through legal counsel provided to them by the CBA, asked the New York State Department of Health for an exemption from these mandates because they infringe upon their Catholic values, burden their exercise of religion and compromise their free speech rights.'
According to the release, Martin Nussbaum of the First & Fourteenth law firm said: '...New York's law provides religious exemption for long-term care facilities affiliated with the Christian Science Church but not for similar Catholic facilities.'
The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne faces fines up to $2,000 per violation, up to $5,000, court-ordered forced compliance, and loss of licensing and up to one year in prison and fines up to $10,000, Fox News reported.
Sister Stella Mary, administrator at Rosary Hill Home, said in the release: 'Our foundress Mother Alphonsa Hawthorne charged us to serve those who are "to pass from one life to another" and to "make them as comfortable and happy as if their own people had kept them and put them into the very best bedroom."
'We intend to continue honoring this sacred obligation but need relief from the Court to do so.'
In a statement to Fox News, the New York State Department of Health said: 'While the Department does not comment on pending or ongoing litigation, the NYS Department of Health is committed to following state law, which provides nursing home residents certain rights protecting against discrimination including, but not limited to, gender identity or expression.'
The Daily Mail reached out to the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne and Governor Kathy Hochul's Office for comment.
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