Judge dismisses Kirk suit involving city, councilmembers

By NewsPress Now

A pastor’s federal discrimination lawsuit against the city of St. Joseph and local officials has ended.

District Judge Gary Fenner signed an order of dismissal of the suit brought by Brian Kirk of First Christian Church. The dismissal, signed on Oct. 11, is with prejudice, meaning the case can’t be refiled.

In his suit, Kirk contended the St. Joseph City Council did not reappoint him to his seat on the St. Joseph Public Library board last year due to his sexual orientation and LGBTQ advocacy. Kirk originally filed the lawsuit in January in Buchanan County Circuit Court, but the defendants later got the case moved to federal court.

The judge already had dismissed two defendants — Steven Greiert, who is the chairman of the Buchanan County Republican Central Committee, and Josh Blevins, pastor at Grace Calvary Chapel — from the lawsuit this summer. Kirk alleged actions by Blevins and Greiert caused the mayor and members of the city council to not reappoint him to the board.