Resources for Government Leaders

A. Freedom of religious expression and freedom of conscience arguments increase the risk for hate speech and will lead to discrimination.

B. The LGBT community would be at particular risk.

C. Religious bigotry would be encouraged.

D. There is need for legislation protecting the employment rights of LGBT workers. Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) have introduced federal legislation called The Equality Act of 2015—an update to the 1964 Civil Rights Act—which would add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the list of other protected classes and in the following categories: employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, federal finding, credit and juries.