Friend:

You may have noticed on Americans United’s social media platforms the past few weeks that we’ve been recognizing LGBT History Month. We’ve especially been highlighting the ways religious extremists and their lawmaker allies attempt to undermine LGBTQ equality by trying to force all of us to live by their beliefs.

This Christian nationalist, anti-equality agenda was on full display this week when video surfaced of North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in a church describing LGBTQ Americans as “filth.” 

Robinson’s hateful remarks were exposed just days before AU filed our newest lawsuit to stop taxpayer-funded discrimination against LGBTQ people. 

In Easter v. HHS, we teamed up with Lambda Legal to represent Kelly Easter from East Nashville, Tenn., who wants to foster a refugee child through a U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement program. Her applications to the only participating agency in her area were denied solely because she is a lesbian.

There may be a difference in tone and language between Robinson’s views and those of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which administers the foster program for the government in Kelly’s community, but the impact is identical.

“I am heartbroken,” says Kelly. “It hurt to be turned away—twice—solely because of my identity. I’ve been a Christian since I was a little girl and my personal relationship with God is the most important thing to me. 

“I also know LGBTQ people can have thriving families and are as important and deserving as any other. How can the government [which sanctions the USCCB’s discrimination by funding it with taxpayer dollars] tell me my beliefs are wrong?”

North Carolina taxpayers pay Robinson’s salary; taxpayers nationwide pay to implement the USCCB’s discriminatory doctrine. And every human heart suffers when this religious extremism poisons public life and excludes so many from full participation in our society.

I’ll give Kelly the last word:

“I’m more concerned about the children. The federal government is supposed to be helping them, but by denying a loving home to a child or young person in need, they are actually hurting them … How is it better for them to stay in a group setting instead of a home with someone who can care for and support them adequately?”

It’s not “better,” of course. And it’s not legal. With your support, we will fight to help Kelly and people like her overcome the relentless presence and harm of anti-LGBTQ religious extremism.

With hope and gratitude,