Harmful Consequences: Misguided Legislation
The U.S.
House of Representatives approved Friday (May 17) an expansive gay and
transgender rights bill that opponents warn would devastatingly undermine
freedom of religion, conscience and speech, as well as protections for women,
girls and unborn children.
The
Democratic-controlled House voted 236-173 for the Equality Act, H.R. 5, marking
the first time a bill to bar discrimination against people who identify as gay
or transgender has gained approval in a congressional chamber.
The bill
would add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the
classifications protected in federal civil rights law. "Sexual
orientation" includes homosexuality and bisexuality, while "gender
identity" refers to the way a person perceives himself regardless of his
biology at birth.