SCA's Casey Brinck sets the record straight on the Equality Act
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Dear Friend,
Last month the House passed the Equality Act (H.R. 5) ([link removed]) . For those unaware, this important legislation would amend existing civil rights laws, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to include sexual orientation, and gender identity as protected characteristics under law. The bill also expands federal non-discrimination protections regarding discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity in public settings, and protects against sex-based discrimination in government services and federally-funded programs.
This week, the Senate held its first ever hearing on theEquality Act ([link removed]) and as expected, the debate was heated. It seems opponents of the bill (Senate Republicans) are promoting several misconceptions ([link removed]) about its purpose and scope which include:
* “The Equality Act would destroy religious freedom in this country.”
+ NOT TRUE. Freedom of religion is already protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Nothing in the Equality Act would change that. The bill simply extends those rights that most vulnerable groups are already afforded to those who have been denied them, such as the LGBTQ community. In fact, the bill actually protects freedom of religion by preventing the imposing of one’s religion upon another.
* “The Equality Act will make athletics unfair for females.”
+ NOT TRUE. Schools across the nation already have policies in place to ensure a level playing field for all students, and they are working. Additionally, except for a very small percentage, most students who participate in high school sports do not continue on with their athletic endeavours after high school. The possibility that perhaps one or two transgender students in an entire student body would ruin that opportunity for another is almost nonexistent ([link removed]) . Title IX is extremely important in regards to girls athletics, and the bottom line is that nothing in the Equality Act changes that. Instead, we should be calling for increased funding for girls athletics.
* “The Equality Acthttps://www.mediamatters.org/justice-civil-liberties/heres-how-right-wing-media-will-lie-about-equality-act-0will allow men to harass women in public restrooms.”
+ NOT TRUE. We already have laws in place to prevent such acts, and the Equality Act does nothing to change that. Additionally, 21 states have had similar nondiscrimination laws on the books for decades now and they have worked, as there have been no increases in public safety incidents in bathrooms since they were codified.
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It is important that we dispel these untrue myths ([link removed]) about this legislation, which seeks only to provide the same protections that most of us already are afforded to those who are not. We must always push back against these false narratives whenever they are presented. Only by doing so will we be able to do away with the myths and focus on the facts of the issue, ([link removed]) which is equal treatment under the law for everyone, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual identity, or sexual orientation.
If you would like to contact your Senators in Washington to tell them that you would appreciate their support of the Equality Act, you can do so by clicking the link ([link removed]) provided below. We are closer than we have ever been before, and now is the time to voice your support!
Please click here to tell your Senators in Washington to support the Equality Act! ([link removed])
To be a part of our team, and celebrate with us when we secure the passage of the Equality Act in the Senate, please click the “I want to help ([link removed]) ” button below. Every dollar goes to representing you on Capitol Hill, and strengthening the wall of separation between religion and government. With your help, we can make even greater progress on the issues we care about!
I want to help! ([link removed])
Your advocate on the Hill,
Casey C. Brinck
Director of Policy & Government Affairs
Secular Coalition for America
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