The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on H.R. 5, the so-called “Equality” Act, as early as next week. It adds “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the definition of sex in federal law, without providing any religious exemptions. The Act presents a serious threat to the freedom of Church ministries, such as schools, hospitals, and social services, to carry out their work.
An ecumenical coalition has formed to fight this effort and has drafted a letter to Congress. The letter has been signed by Lutherans, Baptists, Evangelical Christians, and the Christian Legal Society.
Among other things, the letter notes:
“Federal Funds Will Be Denied to Thousands of Houses of Worship, Schools, and Charities That Currently Receive Them
The Equality Act amends Title VI of the Civil Rights Act so that any recipient of any federal funds, even a small amount for a subsidiary service that may have nothing to do with sexuality, may not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity anywhere in its operations, including in services that are privately funded. Remarkably, this federal funding provision sweeps many houses of worship, religious schools and other institutions into the Act’s prohibitions. By way of example, this includes thousands of Catholic, Jewish and other parochial schools with students who participate in the National School Lunch Program, which helps poor children whose families have selected these specific religious schools; hundreds of synagogues, parochial schools, and other entities that receive funds to enhance their security against terror threats under the Nonprofit Security Grant Program; scores of houses of worship and other entities that receive federal disaster aid from FEMA; and numerous other entities that receive historic preservation grants.”
The United States Catholic Conference has set up a portal where anyone — Catholic or not — can find their member of Congress and send a letter to their Representative and Senators. The site also has background papers and other resources.
It’s important for Congress to hear that this law is unacceptable. If there is a big enough backlash from people of faith now, the idea is less likely to resurface in the future when different parties are in control of Congress or the Presidency.
Click here below to read the coalition’s drafted letter to Congress.
