Until recently all Gay rights groups supported Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA); but because of the controversy over the religious exemption that was added last year, several groups have publicly retracted their support. These recent actions are on the heels of the Supreme Court decision that retailer Hobby Lobby could deny contraceptive coverage in their health care benefits on the basis of religious beliefs.
However, not all Gay rights groups have pulled their support of ENDA. The Human Rights Campaign (HCR), the nation’s largest gay rights advocacy group, continues to support ENDA. The group issued a statement that basically said ENDA will provide workplace protection to millions of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) individuals. It seems like the HRC is saying we need something to protect a large number of LGBT workers and perhaps they feel that once ENDA is passed, the religious exemption can be addressed for those who would be affected by it.
I guess I agree with HRC. The fight for the passage of ENDA has gone on a long time and it looked like maybe it was close to being passed. However because John A. Boehner opposes ENDA, the measure is stalled.
Encouragingly, recently President Obama announced that he would sign an Executive Order banning federal government contractors from discriminating against gays, lesbians and transgender individuals. While White House lawyers draft the order, Sen. Orrin G. Hatch and a group of Christian leaders are arguing for a religious exemption similar to the provision in ENDA. Gay rights leaders, though, do not think the religious exemption will be included in the Executive Order.
I’m not sure what religion does not have some beliefs that sound like this: Love your neighbor as yourself; Judge not, lest ye be judged.
I love what Pope Francis said when asked about his stance on gay rights: “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?”
The very thought that in 2014 we would legislate it okay for any company, public or private to discriminate against someone in employment because the religious beliefs of the owners hold that homosexuality is a sin, is not in keeping with US values… “Freedom and Justice for all”. Where is the justice for our LGBT brothers and sisters?
