Can religion come full circle and embrace their beliefs AND protect LGBT equality? It's an astonishing idea that religions would practice what they preach, but in a bold move by religious faith leaders in Texas, they are doing just that and letting their politicians know it.
AUSTIN – Some 200 ministers, rabbis and other religious leaders wrote to select House members Thursday asking them to support policies that treat lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Texans on an equal basis with other people.
The letter went to lawmakers including members of the House State Affairs Committee, which is considering legislation that would restrict the restrooms transgender people can use. The religious leaders didn’t confine their message to the bathroom bill, although they cited it among other legislation.
“Our faith compels us to oppose anti-transgender legislation (‘bathroom bills), discriminatory laws masquerading as “religious freedom,” or any other attempts to treat Texas’ LGBT community as second-class citizens,” said the letter from Texas Believes, which according to its website is a project of the Texas Freedom Network and Equality Texas.
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“We will continue to speak out against all attempts to use religion to demonize, discriminate against or bring harm to our LGBT sisters and brothers. And we encourage you, as leaders in our state, to support policies that treat all Texans equally under the law, including the LGBT community,” said the letter. – expressnews.com
The letter did not directly address the bathroom bill as one that should NOT be passed. It is reported that the faith community is still divided on Bill 6, which has been approved by the Senate, specifying that people use restrooms, dressing rooms, and locker rooms in government buildings, schools and universities that align with the gender on their birth certificates.
h/t: expressnews.com