Religious Freedom laws should be a shield to protect religious freedom, not a sword used to harm others. But this year, as in past sessions, legislators continue to introduce so-called religious freedom bills that would allow taxpayer-funded social service providers, individuals, and businesses to use religion to discriminate and deny people their rights.
PTN Looks Back On The Five Biggest Religious Freedom Stories Of 2016
Congress Should Learn From FADA Backlash In The States
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform announced that it will hold a hearing on HR 2802, the deceptively named First Amendment Defense Act (FADA), on July 12. The Committee’s decision to hold this hearing is surprising given the backlash that states have faced when trying to pass and enact their own FADA legislation.
Accommodating Transgender Students In Public Schools Is Nothing New
What happens when a school district allows a transgender student to use the bathroom consistent with his or her gender identity? According to a recent article in The Miami Herald, not much.
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Of The 2016 State Sessions, Part 1: The Good
Some Republicans Tire Of Culture War. Here's Why.
Last Week in Review: April 25–29
Read Our Storify About The Missouri SJR 39 House Committee Vote!
Last Week In Review: April 18–22
This Baptist Minister Opposes Discrimination. Read To Find Out Why.
Dr. Brian Kaylor submitted the following testimony to the Missouri House Emerging Issues Committee in opposition to SJR 39 on April 12.
Missouri Legislature Pushes Back Vote On Anti-LGBT Constitutional Amendment
Expecting that the House Emerging Issues Committee would be holding a vote on the resolution on Wednesday evening, opponents of Missouri's problematic SJR 39 were let-down when the committee postponed what was predicted to be a close vote until next week.
Missouri Lawmaker Signals Which Way House Committee May Vote On SJR 39
After a four and a half hour hearing on Tuesday night, the first inklings of how the House Emerging Issues Committee will vote on Missouri's SJR 39 are emerging.
Read Our Missouri SJR 39 House Committee Hearing Storify!
Missouri Businesses And Law Professors Speak Out Against SJR 39
Last Week in Review: April 4–8
Businesses A Powerful Force In The Fight Against "Religious Freedom" Bills
First Openly Gay NFL Player Michael Sam Opposes Missouri's SJR 39
Former University of Missouri football star and the NFL's first openly gay player Michael Sam has written an op-ed in the Columbia Daily Tribune opposing SJR 39, Missouri's constitutional amendment bill that would sanction discrimination.
Last Week in Review: March 28 – April 1
St Louis Post-Dispatch Editorial Board Against Missouri Discrimination Bill
The Editorial Board of the St Louis Post-Dispatch has come out against SJR 39, a bill that would enshrine discrimination based on sincerely held religious beliefs in the Missouri constitution. In an editorial published this weekend, the paper urges lawmakers to let the bill die in the legislature.