West Virginia social conservatives pushing a new "license to discriminate" (aka “religious freedom”) bill differ in their justification for the legislation. Some proponents, like the right-wing legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, just outright lie about it, reports Erin Beck.
Kellie Fiedorek, an attorney with the conservative Alliance Defending Freedom, said during a meeting of the House Judiciary Committee last week that RFRA laws protect you “regardless of sexual orientation.”
Unfortunately for Fiedorek, her counterparts haven't been smart enough to follow her lead. Like Democratic Delegate Rupie Phillips:
He was asked if support for the “religious freedom” bill stems from opposition to same-sex marriage. “Pretty much,” Phillips, D-Logan, said.
Phillips did manage a lie too, of course, but he likely just did it out of ignorance.
“I'm not saying no one should get married if they're same-sex,” he said. “I'm just saying they shouldn't be allowed to sue churches and preachers.”
Yeah, see, no one is doing that, Phillips, except in your own make-believe world. There's a little something known as the U.S. Constitution that protects clergy from being forced to violate their religious beliefs. Here's some insight from University of California, Irvine School of Law dean Erwin Chemerinsky, a constitutional law scholar for more than 30 years.
“I know of no case that ever has required a clergy member to perform a same-sex wedding,” he said in an email. “I know of no law that would require this. I believe that would be regarded as unconstitutional.”
Finally, there's the refreshing candor of West Virginia’s Family Policy Council, a state offshoot of the time-tested LGBT-bashing group Focus on the Family.
On Jan. 28, Allen Whitt, president of the Family Policy Council, cited “sinful and depraved” behavior as justification for the proposed law, before a group of about 300 supporters.
Bottom line: It doesn't matter whether you're honest, ignorant, or lying about your reason for advancing discrimination against LGBT Americans. You're still promoting hatred and bigotry.