GOP Bill Would Protect Groups That Want To Discriminate Against Same-Sex Married Couples
Faced with the potential shutdown of government and default on the U.S.s bills, a group of House Republicans are focusing on what really matters: protecting groups that dont want to recognize marriage equality. Rep. Raúl Labrador (R-Idaho) has drafted the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act Thursday, which he says ensures that any religious institution, organization or church that believes that marriage should continue to remain between one man and one woman will not be discriminated against by the federal government.
Labrador says hes concerned that the rights of groups like Catholic Charities may be at risk because the federal government will want them to comply with laws treating same-sex married couples the same as any other. I believe the Constitution protects these institutions, Labrador told The Hill, but I just want to make sure that its in the law, that its 100 percent sure, that people have no question about it.
Of course, people have no question about it now. Conservative and religious groups may not like the law, but it is, you know, the law. Labrador is trying to create an above-the-law category for groups that object to marriage equality and, more generally, the 21st century.
Congress being what it is, however, its no surprise that Labrador has 60 co-sponsors for his protect the homophobes bill. Among them are two Democrats, Reps. Mike McIntyre (N.C.) and Daniel Lipinski (Ill.), proving that Republicans dont have a complete lock on stupidity.
Full story here: http://www.queerty.com/gop-bill-would-protect-groups-that-want-to-discriminate-against-same-sex-married-couples-20130919/