Religion should never be an excuse for hate or the justification for the denial of basic civil rights. For too long our LGBT friends and loved ones have experienced discrimination in the name of religious liberty.
All people are created equal and deserving of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. is a unifying value that transcends any one faith tradition. It is what binds us together as in a society where we do not always need to agree to be good neighbors to one another.
The Equality Act is an important step forward in ensuring that the freedoms and protections our constitution guarantees are available to all regardless of sexual identity or orientation. It reflects the growing consensus among people of faith and the public at large that denying justice and equality to those who are LGBT is no longer acceptable.
We cannot remove hate from another’s heart through legislation but laws can ensure that those who act on their hate are held to account and brought to justice. The Equality Act will maintain important provisions for religious freedom, even for those with whom we disagree.
While we fight for justice in our laws, we recommit ourselves to the work of changing hearts and minds so that we might live in a culture where all are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
We stand for religious freedom, even for those with whom we disagree, but call for an end to using religious freedom as an excuse for violating the civil rights of others, demands special treatment, or the expectations of taxpayer subsidies.