A Kitsap County man is accusing the Washington State Department of Corrections and a state-contracted rehab provider of subjecting him to anti-gay harassment and mandatory religious messaging while he was enrolled in a court-ordered treatment program.
In his lawsuit filed May 14 in Seattle federal court, Bryson Butler alleges he was repeatedly exposed to anti-LGBTQ comments, HIV misinformation, and Christian religious instruction while undergoing mandatory residential drug treatment tied to a reduced criminal sentence.
Butler was placed at an American Behavioral Health Systems(ABHS) residential treatment facility in May 2025 as part of a Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative, a Washington sentencing program that allows certain nonviolent offenders to reduce prison time if they complete substance abuse treatment after release.
The lawsuit states Butler was required to complete the program or risk being sent back to prison for up to three additional years.
Butler, who is gay and HIV positive, alleges counselors at the facility made repeated derogatory comments about same-sex relationships during mandatory lectures and group sessions.
One counselor allegedly referred to same-sex relationships as “weird shit” and described two men kissing as “disgusting,” according to the lawsuit.
The complaint also alleges slurs such as “fag” and “faggot” were frequently used at the facility without reprimand from staff. Another allegation centers around comments involving HIV-positive individuals.
According to the lawsuit, a counselor allegedly claimed people with HIV should be visibly tattooed “so they can be identified and avoided.” The complaint also alleges the counselor falsely claimed HIV could be transmitted through sharing drinks, food, or toilet seats.
Butler says he reported the comments to staff, his DOC officer, and a Prison Rape Elimination Act auditor but the behavior continued anyway.
At a later lecture, Butler claims the same counselor looked directly at him while saying anyone with a problem should “man up” and say it to his face before continuing to make disparaging comments about gay men.
The complaint also describes an incident in which a volunteer allegedly distributed a religious comic book called “Doom Town” during a mandatory meeting.
According to the filing, the comic portrayed gay men as threatening to infect the nation’s blood supply with AIDS and stated that “the ONLY way to escape the sin of homosexuality is through Jesus Christ.”
The lawsuit says Butler later complained to administrators and was told the comic had been approved by ABHS. One administrator allegedly told Butler not to worry because he would soon be completing treatment anyway.
Butler completed the residential treatment program in July 2025, according to court filings.
The lawsuit claims Butler continues to suffer “emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, personal indignity, embarrassment, and anxiety” because of the alleged conduct.
The case seeks class-action status on behalf of others who underwent treatment at ABHS facilities through court-ordered programs during the past three years.
The lawsuit alleges violations of the federal Fair Housing Act, Washington’s Law Against Discrimination, and the Washington Constitution’s protections surrounding religious freedom.
Among other requests, Butler is seeking damages, attorney fees, punitive damages, and court orders blocking the state from requiring participation in religious instruction as part of publicly funded treatment programs.
Puget Press has reached out to the Department of Corrections and ABHS for comment.
