The Equality Act Debunks What We Fought For

The Equality Act Debunks What We Fought For

By: Ariel Fierro
May 31, 2019

The ideology of letting Americans “be free to be themselves” to what society now accepts heads into the direction of interfering with others own rights. The Equality Act, H.R. 5, is the beacon of what is yet to come if this becomes federal law; the appearance of the Equality Act on banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is unique, however letting “freedom ring” for the LGBTQ community targets religious liberty as well as exclusions of freedom of conscience.

H.R. 5 prevents any employer or retailer from using the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, passed in 1993, to justify withholding services based on gender or sexual orientation. Although the Religious Freedom Restoration Act received bipartisan support, this law barred the U.S. government from interfering with the rights of religious practitioners. Nevertheless, it was even used to protect the rights of business owners refusing service based on religious belief (i.e. Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores 2014).

The Equality Act will be seen as equal to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, yet the issue of race is nowhere near or the same as that of sexuality. The ideological changes towards homosexuality within this society is not in comparison to what African Americans or even women’s rights movements of the 1960s had fought for. “Today we recognize how vital the Civil Rights bill was to the welfare of our nation, and we recognize that its protections and enforcement have changed America’s perspective on race.”

However, this “will enforce the belief that one is born gay or trans and there is no other option for such individuals. H.R.5 will empower the Federal Government to levy punishment on any individual or organization with a dissenting ideological view.” Representative David N. Cicilline, sponsor of H.R. 5, may be seen as the warrior in the eyes of society, yet this debunks not only Freedom of Religion, but other entities:

1. Sec 2(3); “forbids science and good medical practice” as well as professional counselors will be compelled to affirm same-sex sexuality and transgender ideology; there will be no exclusions for freedom of conscience. For example, the Masterpiece Cake decision can be reversed.
2. Sec 2(6); public facilities will impose a nationwide transgender bathroom policy.
3. Sec 2(5); publicly funded K-12 schools and universities will have Federally mandated sexual orientation and gender identity curricula.
4. Sec 2(6); federally assisted programs will be forced to contribute in the favor of transgender women being able to compete against biological women in sports and vice versa. All public and private insurers (Medicaid, Blue Cross, etc.) could be required to follow a transgender medical mandate. Faith-based adoption and foster care agencies will not have freedom of conscience.
5. Sec 2(7); “Employees will be allowed to sue employers whose insurance programs do not cover transgender medical procedures. Employees and employers will be compelled to use “preferred pronouns” and an individual could claim a hostile work environment if not called by their preferred pronoun.”
6. Sec 2(9); ‘‘(with respect to gender identity) an individual shall not be denied access to a shared facility, including a restroom, a locker room, and a dressing room, that is in accordance with the individual’s gender identity.’’
7. Sec II07; Religion will not be protected within this bill, in addition to freedom of speech for “homosexuality is a sin” preached on pulpits will be subject to penalties such as fines.”

The Equality Act is not obtaining equality, it will debunk what America once stood and fought for.

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About the Author:

Ariel Fierro began her path in politics as a student ambassador for Turning Point USA, and Christians United For Israel during her senior year at YES Prep East End Campus in Houston, TX. She was lead intern for Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s campaign, Texas Regional Leader for Faith & Freedom Coalition, and a field director for the Fierro For Texas campaign. During her free time, she choreographs & performs for a dance company. She is co-director of a dance non-profit organization and mentors high school students for Shespoke organization. Ariel has earned her associates degree in Biology with Clinical Laboratory Specialization, and continues her education at the University of Houston.