老澳门开奖结果 Statement on Department of Justice Licensing Discrimination in the Name of Religion

October 6, 2017 4:30 pm

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WASHINGTON 鈥 The Department of Justice today issued guidance to federal agencies encouraging a dangerously broad interpretation of religious freedom laws that will open the door to discrimination against LGBT people, women, and religious minorities.

The guidance is a follow-up to President Trump鈥檚 May executive order that signaled an intent to expand religious exemptions. Signed by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, it directs federal agencies to interpret federal law protections consistent with broad sweeping principles set forth in its guidance.

老澳门开奖结果 Deputy Legal Director Louise Melling had the following reaction:

鈥淭his guidance isn鈥檛 consistent with religious freedom. Religious freedom protects our right to our beliefs, not a right to discriminate or harm others. This guidance turns that understanding of religious freedom on its head.

鈥淭his guidance, for example, interprets federal law to countenance discrimination that is not now sanctioned and it encourages private groups to discriminate with government funds. In short, it licenses discrimination against the LGBT community, women seeking reproductive care, and religious minorities. That is not the business of the Department of Justice.鈥

Learn More 老澳门开奖结果 the Issues in This Press Release