Hi ACLU Supporter –

There's no denying that freedom of religion is one of our nation's fundamental values. But religion should never be used as a license to discriminate.

The Department of Labor is proposing a new rule allowing employers with federal contracts to discriminate against employees based on religious beliefs. Before the rule goes into effect, the government is accepting public comments – and will be forced to read and consider every single one.

The new rule would weaponize religion and undercut the constitutional rights of LGBTQ people, all women, and more. If it goes into effect, here's what could happen in workplaces funded with taxpayer dollars:

• Employers citing religious objections could fire LGBTQ people and those who are pregnant and umarried
• Transgender employees forced to dress and use facilities inconsistent with their gender identity
• Employers picking and choosing which employees receive which benefits
• Qualified job candidates denied interviews solely because of a religious objection to their existence

If this isn't the kind of country we want to live in, then we must speak up before the September 16 deadline. Tell the Department of Labor to reject the new rule letting employers use religion to discriminate with taxpayer dollars.

We can beat this new rule if enough of us come together and pressure the government to do the right thing.

Thanks for taking action,

Louise Melling
ACLU Deputy Legal Director