GOP Chair Schedules Anti-Gay 'Religious Freedom' Bill for One Month Anniversary of Orlando Massacre

[rug]

Sweeping Anti-Gay Bill Being Pushed by NOM and Religious Extremists

by David Badash
June 30, 2016 9:33 AM

A federal bill that would give special rights and protections to anyone who claims to have a deeply-held religious conviction against LGBT people has been scheduled for a hearing in the House on the one month anniversary of the nation's worst anti-LGBT hate crime, which was also the worst terror attack since 9/11 and the deadliest mass shooting in modern times.

The powerful House Oversight Committee Chairman, Republican Jason Chaffetz, has scheduled a hearing for the First Amendment Defense Act (FAFA) for July 12, one month to the day of the attack on Pulse, an Orlando gay nightclub, as blogger Joe Jervis first noted.

The bill was first introduced in the House one year ago, and has sat dormant until now. The hearing is being denounced as "nothing more than an election-year stunt to rally conservatives at the expense of LGBT Americans," by Democratic Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island.

“In most states, you can get married on Saturday, post photos of your wedding to Facebook on Sunday and then get fired or kicked out of your apartment on Monday just because you’re gay,” Cicilline said, as Chris Johnson of the Washington Blade reports. “FADA exacerbates this injustice by allowing religion to be used as a blanket excuse for denying LGBT people access to employment, housing, mental health care, emergency shelters and other essential services. This is wrong. Fairness and equality are core American values.”

http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/davidbadash/gop_chair_schedules_anti_gay_religious_freedom_bill_for_one_month_anniversary_of_orlando_massacre

[Turkey Manhatten]

1. A New Challenger Joins the Underground

Not surprised the GOP would introduce something like this. I'm all for at least hearing the bill on its merits, but the timing is extremely tasteless.