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Family Equality V Becerra 2CA Appeal
Family Equality V Becerra 2CA Appeal
22-1174
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE SECOND CIRCUIT
Equality.
i
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES ......................................................................... iii
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................... 1
JURISDICTION ............................................................................................. 4
QUESTION PRESENTED FOR REVIEW ................................................... 4
STATEMENT OF THE CASE ....................................................................... 4
A. Course of the Proceedings Below .................................................... 4
B. Legal Background ............................................................................ 5
C. Factual Background ...................................................................... 10
D. Procedural Background ................................................................. 21
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT ...................................................................... 23
STANDARD OF REVIEW ........................................................................... 25
ARGUMENT ................................................................................................ 26
I. Plaintiffs Suffered a Perceptible Impairment to Their
Activities Sufficient to Establish Article III Standing. ....................... 28
A. The Notice Makes the Subject of Plaintiffs’ Education
Work More Complicated and Time-Consuming. .......................... 29
B. The Notice Removed the 2016 Grants Rule as an
Educational Tool. ........................................................................... 33
II. The District Court Misapplied This Court’s Precedent. ...................... 36
A. The District Court Failed to Acknowledge Plaintiffs’
Allegations That They Suffered an Involuntary Material
Burden on Their Core Activities. .................................................. 36
B. Havens Realty Precludes the District Court’s Conclusion
That Plaintiffs’ Activities Were Not Impaired Because
Plaintiffs Still Engage in Those Activities.................................... 40
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE ............................................................ 44
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE ..................................................................... 45
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TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
Page(s)
CASES
Nnebe v. Daus,
644 F.3d 147 (2d Cir. 2011) ....................................................26, 27, 41, 42
Obergefell v. Hodges,
576 U.S. 644 (2015) ................................................................................... 8
iii
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STATUTES
OTHER AUTHORITIES
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INTRODUCTION
and older people who rely on social services to age with dignity.
with respect to any grant recipients. At the same time, the agency
1
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dismissed the suit on the ground that plaintiffs had not adequately
alleged standing.
Tucker, 8 F.4th 167, 174 n. 26 (2d Cir. 2021) (citing New York v. United
States Dep’t of Homeland Sec., 969 F.3d 42, 60-61 (2d Cir. 2020)).
2
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program beneficiaries (on their rights to receive the same). The Notice
Oyster Bay, 868 F.3d 104, 110 (2d Cir. 2017) (organization was injured
3
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JURISDICTION
Joint Appendix (“JA”) JA13. The District Court (Vyskocil, J.) dismissed
the complaint on the ground that Plaintiffs lacked Article III standing.
JA59-69. Plaintiffs filed a timely notice of appeal on May 27, 2022. JA71.
in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
appealed.
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B. Legal Background
regulation in some grant programs, but not in others. Title IV-E of the
Social Security Act (which funds foster care and adoption assistance) does
a wide range of social services for older adults) does not provide any of its
1351.22(a).
the basis of religion, see 45 C.F.R. § 87.3(d), that regulation does not
6
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prospective foster or adoptive parents who have been turned away from
IV-E and the Older Americans Act—flows through states, which may or
recipients.
clear and generally applicable standard for its grant programs that
7
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744 (2013), and Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015), see 81 Fed.
C.F.R. § 75.101(d).
comply only with the statutory discrimination protections set forth in the
Fed. Reg. 63,831, 63,832 (Nov. 19, 2019) (“2019 Proposed Rule”). It would
8
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enforce the 2016 Grants Rule “with respect to any grantees” pending the
that it had “significant concerns” about whether the 2016 Grants Rule
Proposed Rule, HHS finalized the rule without change on January 12,
2021. Health and Human Services Grants Regulation, 86 Fed. Reg. 2,257
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of the Rule. HHS ultimately confessed error as to the process that led to
the 2021 Grants Rule and agreed to a court order vacating it. Order, ECF
and the rulemaking that would have done so has now been vacated—
HHS has left the Notice of Nonenforcement in place for nearly three
years. HHS has thus effectively nullified the 2016 Rule’s protections
C. Factual Background
2 The 2021 Grants Rule litigation was brought by the Plaintiffs in this
case, along with one additional Plaintiff: Facing Foster Care in Alaska.
Counsel in this case also represented the plaintiffs in the 2021 Grants
Rule litigation.
3 2017 TAGGS Annual Report: Department of Health and Human
those most impacted by the Notice are LGBTQ children, youth, families,
and older adults who receive services through grant programs authorized
by three statutes: Title IV-E of the Social Security Act (foster care and
(shelters and transitional living programs), and the Older Americans Act
the context of child welfare, are almost always involuntarily placed into
peers. JA33 (¶60). As a result, LGBTQ youth in the child welfare system
exiting foster care to homelessness. JA33 (¶60), JA34 (¶62), JA35 (¶65).
These harms are compounded when foster care and adoption agencies
11
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(¶61).
the Older Americans Act in order to age with dignity in their homes.
JA39 (¶74). Many LGBTQ older adults live with serious economic
12
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has a right to form a family and that all children deserve a stable, loving
family. JA16-17 (¶9). To that end, Family Equality strives to ensure that
“adoption and foster care services, including those funded by HHS grant
foster care and LGBTQ families seeking to foster or adopt. Id. Among
groups to ensure that those families understand their rights and are
that such services are safe for LGBTQ youth. JA18 (¶13). As part of that
work, “True Colors United offers free training, education, and technical
13
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against LGBTQ youth. JA19 (¶14). For example, True Colors United
annual Impact Summit.” Id.; see also JA42-43 (¶83) (listing seven other
2016 Grants Rule from 2017 to 2019). During these trainings, True
2016 Grants Rule, JA19 (¶14), and “presented information on the federal
and respect. JA19 (¶15). To that end, SAGE works to facilitate access to
14
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(¶16). Among other things, SAGE operates the National Resource Center
improving the quality of services offered to LGBTQ older people. Id. The
2016 Grants Rule in its pre-Notice work “to help ensure that service
providers who receive funds under the Older Americans Act [did] not
ways.
legal obligations of grant recipients and the right of the populations they
serve to be free from discrimination.” JA40 (¶78); see also JA44 (¶86),
15
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JA46-47 (¶92). Under the 2016 Grants Rule, all HHS grant recipients
which vary from program to program and state to state.” JA40 (¶78).
time at the time of the complaint to “assess[] the legal effect of the Notice”
HHS’s many grant programs.” JA40-41 (¶79). It had also spent 15 hours
the impacts of HHS’s action.” Id. Relying on that research and analysis,
16
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JA44 (¶86). On the one hand, Runaway and Homeless Youth grant
the other hand, the Notice of Nonenforcement, coupled with the 2019
Proposed Grants Rule, sent strong signals that HHS would not enforce
17
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“efforts to ensure that grant recipients understand and comply with” the
and these other actions, True Colors United has been forced to conduct—
18
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As noted above, True Colors United relied on the 2016 Grants Rule
2016 Grants Rule as a training “tool.” JA42-43 (¶83). The Notice also
as tools in its education work. JA43 (¶84). At the time of the Complaint,
True Colors United had already spent approximately 135 hours trying to
obtain protections in three states. Id. And True Colors United “expects
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possible” given that the Notice has rendered the 2016 Grants Rule
people’s unique needs,” JA47 (¶93). This in turn makes service providers
inclusive and safe for LGBTQ older people” and “encouraging them to
20
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D. Procedural Background
Plaintiffs filed suit on March 19, 2020, alleging that the Notice
on January 12, 2021, HHS finalized the 2021 Grants Rule which, had it
gone into effect, may have mooted this case. Thereafter, the parties
agreed to stay the case. See JA52, JA54-55, JA57. On May 5, 2021, the
district court lifted the stay, following a request by the parties. JA58.
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First, the district court found that Plaintiffs had not suffered an
perform the core activities’ [they] previously engaged in[.]” JA68 (citing
Conn. Parents Union, 8 F.4th at 175). Under this view, the resources
4While the court noted in its opinion that “this case may quickly become
moot” in light of the 2021 Grants Rule, JA61, that concern is no longer
present because the 2021 Grants Rule has since been vacated.
22
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involuntary result” of the burden imposed by the Notice. Id. Rather, the
out [their] responsibilities has not been impeded,” JA68, “since each
advocacy work it previously undertook,” JA69. The court did not cite any
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT
Specifically, Plaintiffs alleged in detail that the Notice made the subject
far more complicated, JA40 (¶78), rendering that work more time-
23
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True Colors United and SAGE relied. JA42-43 (¶83), JA46 (¶91), JA47-
48 (¶93). The Notice therefore made those Plaintiffs’ work less effective,
forcing them to divert valuable staff time towards replacing that tool.
F.4th at 173-74.
868 F.3d 104 (2d Cir. 2017) [hereinafter Centro], and Connecticut Parents
Union, 8 F.4th 167 (2d Cir. 2021). Contrary to the district court’s
a cognizable injury because the Notice made its pre-existing core work
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JA46-48 (¶¶91-93).
Havens Realty. Moya v. Dep’t of Homeland Sec., 975 F.3d 120, 130 (2d.
Cir. 2020) (citing 455 U.S. at 379). As that case and subsequent decisions
from this Court make clear, plaintiff organizations need not cease their
Havens Realty, 455 U.S. at 379; Conn. Parents Union, 8 F.4th at 173-74.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
This Court reviews “de novo the district court’s decision to dismiss
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Katz v. Donna Karan Co., LLC, 872 F.3d 114, 118 (2d Cir. 2017) (quoting
Donoghue v. Bulldog Invs. Gen. P’ship, 696 F.3d 170, 173 (2d Cir. 2012)).
ARGUMENT
8 F.4th at 172 (quoting Lujan v. Defs. Of Wildlife, 504 U.S. 555, 560
(1992)). As with any other litigant, the organization must show: “(i) an
imminent injury in fact . . . that is distinct and palpable; (ii) that its
injury is fairly traceable to [the challenged act]; and (iii) that a favorable
decision would redress its injuries.” Id. (quoting Centro, 868 F.3d at 109).
Daus, 644 F.3d 147, 157 (2d Cir. 2011)); Havens Realty, 455 U.S. at 379.
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regularly conducted (prior to the challenged act)[.]” Id. For example, just
“costly changes to its education programs.” Id. at 174, n.26 (citing New
173 n.21. Indeed, “an organization may suffer the requisite injury when
Moya, 975 F.3d at 129-30). When “multiple parties seek the same relief,
quotations omitted).
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the legal obligations of grant recipients and the right of the populations
they serve to be free from discrimination.” JA40 (¶78). The 2016 Grants
Family Equality and True Colors United’s education work. See id. The
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and state statutory and regulatory protections, which vary from program
This change made Family Equality and True Colors United’s pre-
New York v. DHS, 969 F.3d at 61; Moya, 975 F.3d at 125 (finding standing
where the challenged rule required the plaintiff to spend “twice as much
to divert staff time and resources from other organizational goals. See
regard are detailed and show a material cost. See JA40-42 (¶¶ 79-80),
(rejecting injuries that were “vague and conclusory” and did not establish
a material impairment).
legal rights, Family Equality was forced to spend dozens of hours of staff
left in place for HHS’s many grant programs.” JA40-41 (¶79). Relying
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on that research, Family Equality’s staff has already spent many more
and the relevance of the 2016 Grants Rule when it is not being enforced.
JA40-42 (¶¶79-80). All told, Family Equality was forced to divert more
than 170 hours of staff time updating its educational work at the time
31
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phone banks.” 969 F.3d at 61; see also Conn. Parents Union, 8 F.4th at
173 & n.26 (citing the “necessitated costly changes to [the plaintiff’s]
had standing because its pre-existing work to meet with day laborers was
intensive” manner, New York v. DHS, 969 F.3d at 61, which in turn
(¶83); see also JA19 (¶14). The Notice therefore “adversely affects one of
33
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the Notice prevents True Colors United from using the 2016 Grants Rule
Similarly, SAGE “relied upon the 2016 Grants Rule to help ensure
that service providers did not discriminate against LGBTQ older people,”
JA46 (¶91), and supported providers by educating them on both the need
that they may discriminate against LGBTQ older people with impunity,”
LGBTQ older people's needs,” JA47 (¶93). This in turn makes providers
34
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Beyond that, both True Colors United and SAGE have been forced
“respon[d] to the [Notice].” Id. at 111. “In the absence of the 2016 Grants
United and SAGE have diverted, and will continue to divert, hundreds of
“replace the defunct federal standards.” JA43 (¶84); see also JA46 (¶91)
(¶93).
35
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id. at 173.
wrong for two primary reasons. First, the district court mistakenly found
that Plaintiffs did not suffer an involuntary material burden on their core
36
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difficulty” and costs “in meeting with . . . [day] laborers” as a result of the
Plaintiffs here have found it more difficult and costly to educate service
And just like the Plaintiff in Centro, Plaintiffs in this case have been
forced to spend resources “to combat activity that harms [their] core
Namely, Plaintiffs have spent valuable staff time making costly changes
to their education program to address the complexity, see supra pages 29-
32, and have had to pursue state-level protections to replace the training
tool removed by the Notice, see supra pages 33-35. Contrary to the
district court’s conclusion, JA68 (quoting Centro, 868 F.3d at 110), these
37
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and were forced to divert resources “from [their] other current activities
at 110.
The district court was also wrong to analogize Plaintiffs in this case
above, supra pages 29-31, and (2) removing a critical tool to True Colors
to not discriminate and how to provide inclusive services, supra pages 33-
35.
F.4th at 173-74). Rather, the education work impacted by the Notice was
part of Plaintiffs’ “daily operations” prior to the Notice. See supra pages
38
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work, see supra pages 29-31, and to persuade service providers of the
Court’s precedent. See Conn. Parents Union, 8 F.4th at 174 & n.26
(same).
This Court rejected just such an argument two years ago in Moya
performing [its prior] activity, albeit with less efficiency and success.”
975 F.3d at 130 (internal quotations omitted). The Court explained that
such a view is contrary to “the cases we are bound to follow.” 975 F.3d at
130.
40
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ability to provide its fair housing counseling and referral services. 455
U.S. at 369. The challenged racial steering practices made the plaintiff’s
work more time-consuming, but did not stop it altogether. Id. at 379.
Consistent with Havens, this Court has found standing where the
by the challenged act. Conn. Parents Union, 8 F.4th at 174 & n.26
(emphasis added). See also, e.g., Moya, 975 F.3d at 129-30 (organization
standing where challenged law made its ongoing efforts to organize day
laborers “more costly”); Nnebe, 644 F.3d at 157 (taxi-driver union had
its members). So too with Plaintiffs—the fact that they continue in their
41
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organizations “to allege only ‘some perceptible opportunity cost’ from the
975 F.3d at 130 (quoting Nnebe, 644 F.3d at 157, and citing Havens
Realty, 455 U.S. at 379)); Conn. Parents Union, 8 F.4th at 173 (same). In
Plaintiffs have met this burden. They have alleged in detail that
the Notice has made their pre-existing work more time-consuming and
activities. See supra pages 29-35. Such injuries “are sufficient under
42
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CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the district court should
KRISTEN P. MILLER
ROBIN THURSTON
Democracy Forward Foundation
P.O. Box 34553
Washington, DC 20043
(202) 701-1782
[email protected]
[email protected]
KAREN L. LOEWY
SASHA BUCHERT
Lambda Legal Defense &
Education Fund, Inc.
1776 K Street, NW, 8th Fl.
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 804-6245
[email protected]
[email protected]
43
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CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
This filing complies with the word limit of Federal Rule of Appellate
s/ Kristen P. Miller
Kristen P. Miller
44
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
s/ Kristen P. Miller
Kristen P. Miller
45