“There is a distinction between homosexuality and just being a human being.”
Missouri is on a role when it comes to not protecting and discriminating against LGBT people. Missouri’s House of Representatives just went through a long debate over potentially passing a bill amendment that would protect LGBT people from discrimination. The decision didn’t go well for LGBT people in the state.
It turns out that the government ended up not passing the bill amendment and instead withdrew it from consideration. The loud opposition coming from state Republican representatives made sure of that.
Then, once that was over, the House switched gears and actually made it harder to protect LGBT people.
The House, in the same session, went through with passing Senate Bill 43. This proposed bill, in effect, would make it harder for people to sue for being discriminated against.
The bill will make it so that there is a higher standard for proving discrimination claims. In addition, the bill will exempt employers from being held liable for discrimination.
This proposed bill will make all Missourians, not just the LGBT ones, have to fight harder when they are being discriminated against and stepped on.
And as if that wasn’t bad enough, the local newspaper, The Kansas City Star, wrote that there is a shady background to this bill.
“The bill is another unnecessary blemish on the state. The legislation’s original sponsor owns a company facing a discrimination lawsuit, making the decision even more questionable.”
But, of course, the story couldn’t stop there, because not protecting LGBT people is not enough. A local Republican representative had to add insult to injury too.
Specifically, lawmaker Rick Brattin, adamantly fought against the possible bill amendment. He claimed that it would be a violation to the religious liberties of other people.
He even specifically said, “When you look at the tenets of religion, of the Bible, of the Qu’ran, of other religions, there is a distinction between homosexuality and just being a human being.”
And as offensive as those words sounds, it seems that Mr. Brattin is standing by them as he has refused to explain or talk about them further.
Even local new outlets like the Kansas City Star were shocked by the statement. And an editorial from the Star said, “The statement, made on the Missouri House floor, was deplorable.”
“It betrayed a stunning lack of understanding of theology and self-government: The Constitution protects all Americans from the tyranny of any single faith-based approach to secular law.”
“We asked Rep. Brattin to explain his statement, but he did not return a phone call to his office.”
Senate Bill 43 has not been enacted yet and is still on Governor Eric Greitens’ desk, waiting to be approved.
In a better world, the governor would veto the bill and Brattin would apologize for his hurtful words.
While it looks like we won’t be getting the apology, hopefully we can at least get the veto.
h/t: Pink News
