HR 3017, Employment Non-Discrimination Act will jeopardize the First Amendment freedom of religious expression-
Oppose Bill to Add Special Protections for “Sexual Orientation” in Employment Law
Congress is currently considering a bill that will add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” as special categories protected against discrimination in employment law. In so doing, HR 3017, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), will jeopardize the First Amendment freedom of religious expression and harm American businesses.
If passed, ENDA will require employers to police the workplace to eliminate viewpoints contrary to the promotion of homosexuality and “transgenderism.” This means the bill will inevitably threaten the religious beliefs of those who oppose homosexual behavior. What will happen when homosexual or “transgender” employees object to: religious articles on employees’ desks; water cooler discussions about biblical morality; Bible verses taped to cubicle walls; fliers on company bulletin boards advertising discussions concerning traditional marriage? Religious liberty violations have already occurred in states with ENDA-type laws, including California, Minnesota, Colorado, and Idaho, and many of these cases are in litigation.
If passed, ENDA will also increase compliance costs for businesses and open the door to expensive lawsuits. Employers will be forced to consult legal counsel in order to upgrade their employment manuals, policies and procedures and train human resource staff to understand and comply with these confusing new employment discrimination categories.
While many homosexuals have come to the conclusion that they were “born gay,” there exists a significant minority of homosexuals and bisexuals who recognize that sexual orientation is quite fluid. How can a business be expected to avoid discriminating against categories of individuals that are potentially ever-changing and based on subjective self-identification?
Ask your U.S. representative and senators to OPPOSE the Employment Nondiscrimination Act!
Read Focus on the Family’s letter to U.S. Representatives, asking them to oppose ENDA.