Rainbow Smackdown 2

There are several developments in the LGBTQ+ “special rights” arena. The House passed The Equality Act which would declare LGBTQ+ people as a protected class in the same way African Americans are.

This passed House Act will probably stall in the Senate, but if reintroduced at a later date, the chances it will eventually pass are real and undeniable. Whether there will be any clauses to protect religious people is questionable. When the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, passed The Equality Act she did not include any protection for Catholics/Christians who follow Church teaching and do not participate in same-sex weddings.

Because The Equality Act divides people between those who want freedom to practice their religion and those who see religious believers as being guilty of discrimination against those in same-sex unions, we are facing a historic showdown.

Is compromise possible? It seems that the LGBTQ+ lobby refuses to allow for the freedom to practice religion. Will our government  force those whose faith believes in marriage between one man and one woman to participate in a same-sex wedding or be fined (or jailed)? Will religious people retain free speech rights?

How did we arrive at this moment?

The LGBTQ+ activists have the unwavering support of many businesses--companies such as:

 Google, Amazon, American Express, Apple, Chevron, Citigroup, Expedia, General Mills, Nike,

Hershey, JP Morgan, Mars, Microsoft, Nationwide, Pepsi, RE/Max, Southwest Airlines,

United Airlines, Choice Hotels, Verizon, UPS, Wyndham Hotels, American Airlines, Facebook,

Johnson & Johnson, Food Lion, Exelon, Estee Lauder, Coca-Cola, Dow Chemical, Yelp,

MillerCoors, Mastercard, Merck, Best Buy, and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

(Full list:  Businesses that Support Equality Act

or

https://www.hrc.org/resources/business-coalition-for-equality

Where do businesses get their power? Consumers hand over their money to them. Yes, it is bad business practices to side with one consumer over another, but right now no one on the Religious Freedom side is making them pay for their actions. Christians have a huge buying power based on sheer numbers but instead of realizing this, many companies give into the LGBTQ+ agenda since Christians don't lobby them.

States like Texas and Tennessee have tried to to pass laws ensuring people the right to practice their faith. Some major businesses are threatening these states with economic warfare. Some heads of companies even write letters to lawmakers, and threaten to pull out of states that pass Religious Freedom Laws.

Is there any compassion for those who firmly believe in traditional marriage? Have we gotten our narrative out to society?

Even the “right to privacy” is under attack today. What about the high school or middle school girl who seeks to use the bathroom/shower in privacy and safety?

One federal judge, Judge Jorge Alonso, already stated:

“the right not to be seen unclothed by the opposite sex is not on the (Illinois) Supreme Court’s list.”

How do we retain our Freedoms? Writing or calling elected officials is an investment in ensuring religious rights are not eroded.

Lobbying is not dependent on money, but in being vocal. There are many consequences to this battle. When (and if) religious people wake up and realize they cannot remain silent will be the real tipping point in this discussion. If Catholics remain silent, going to the bathroom with no privacy will be the least problem religious believers face.

House Contacts

https://www.house.gov/representatives

Senate Contacts

https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm