US: LGBT groups drop support of anti-discrimination law ENDA over 'religious freedom' exemption
14th June 2014, 1:21 PM, Nick Duffy
Several prominent LGBT groups have dropped their support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act over a 'religious freedom' exemption.
The federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act was passed by the US Senate last year, but is being blocked by Republicans in the House of Representatives.
However, after a number of concessions to religious groups, some activists say the bill will now cause more harm than good.
The current language of the act would allow religious institutions – including churches, hospitals and schools – to continue to discriminate against LGBT employees, despite numerous teachers fired for being LGBT.
More: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/06/14/us-lgbt-groups-drop-support-of-anti-discrimination-law-enda-over-religious-freedom-exemption/
Ironically it is it's best chance of passing. Only a few would work in the religious circle, any secular employer would not have the right to fire someone.
I wish LGBT groups had as much respect for the religious rights of their opponents as they demand for their own.
Not only is this scorched-earth my way or the highway approach going to alienate and extremize them further, it seems downright unconstitutional.
Quote from: ZoeM on June 17, 2014, 08:34:09 PM
I wish LGBT groups had as much respect for the religious rights of their opponents as they demand for their own.
Not only is this scorched-earth my way or the highway approach going to alienate and extremize them further, it seems downright unconstitutional.
The problem is how do you stop religious freedom from being manipulated into bigoted freedom?
As in the US, religions using the excuse of religious freedom are the main attacker of LGBTIQ+ rights...
There is a level of abuse in use, such as the push for the "Right to Discriminate" Law, which is just all out backwards and majorly outdated
Main example:
http://youtu.be/eXE8vKM7h6A
Quote from: ZoeM on June 17, 2014, 08:34:09 PM
I wish LGBT groups had as much respect for the religious rights of their opponents as they demand for their own.
Not only is this scorched-earth my way or the highway approach going to alienate and extremize them further, it seems downright unconstitutional.
But they don't. They silence anyone who disagrees with them and the only compromise is "you can do what you like in your own home, I just don't want to see it." Ironic, really. Actually, it's much worse. People now can routinely expect to be run out of their jobs or have their business destroyed if they step out of line. The lgbt community is actively out to destroy their opponents.
Well ok then, let's have it that way. I'd like to have my marriage in the holiest mosque in the nation.
Quote from: Missamy on June 17, 2014, 08:12:53 PM
Ironically it is it's best chance of passing. Only a few would work in the religious circle, any secular employer would not have the right to fire someone.
Uh, dang near every hospital in my region(St Louis) is religiously affiliated. Private religious schools probably account for 40% of education too. I don't know what corner of the US you are but it's terribly inappropriate. In fact I think the only non religious hospital I have been to in my life was the Peninsula Mills hospital in San Mateo California.
I was having a similar thought. UW hospitals are my best bet, affiliated with the UW system better than a religion.