In the struggle for equality for LGBT Americans, it’s two steps forward, one step back. Sometimes it comes down to pizza, and every slice matters.
I’ll explain.
Gay marriage is now the law in 37 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly 72 percent of the U.S. population lives in a state currently issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples statewide. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case later this month that could require marriage equality nationwide. And it should, if the Constitution’s requirement of “equal protection of the laws” actually means equal protection of the laws. It really is that simple.
RELATED: The Supreme Court’s new gay marriage case tests MLK’s dream of true equality
But opponents of equality have always dug in their heels, taking a stand for bigotry. Public pools all over the Deep South ordered to racially integrate closed entirely in the 1970s rather than allow African American kids to swim. All-male golf clubs still insist they have the right to exclude women because they are private and they just want to, so there.
Indiana, reacting to a court decision requiring it to recognize same sex marriages, has enacted a Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) which allows businesses to discriminate, using religion as a defense. Nineteen other states have RFRAs, but they apply only to disputes between individuals and the government.
While Indiana’s RFRA does not explicitly mention LGBT discrimination, its backers clearly stated that it is designed to protect “Christian businesses and churches from those supporting homosexual marriages.” In other words, the law is meant to allow them to refuse service to same sex couples. One pizzeria promptly announced it would not serve gay weddings. While pizza weddings are apparently a thing, I found no evidence of a gay pizza wedding anytime or anywhere. Which proves to me that only gay folks should be allowed to have weddings. But I digress.
Here’s why these religious freedom laws are a terrible idea.
1. Religious freedom is not a problem in America. But LGBT discrimination is.
Christians remain the majority in America, free to worship as they like.
LGBT Americans, on the other hand, endure disturbing levels of bias and violence. One in five gay employees and nearly half of transgender employees report having been discriminated against in hiring, promotions and pay. Gay people are 2.4 times more likely to suffer a violent hate crime attack than Jews, 2.6 times more likely to be attacked than blacks, and 4.4 times more likely than Muslims.
Our gay friends need legal protection, without exceptions for religion or anything else. As James Madison said, “The civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship.”
2. Religious freedom laws are bad for business.
When Arkansas announced this week that it too would introduce its very own RFRA, even Walmart, not your typical liberal poster child, opposed it on the grounds that it “threatens to undermine the spirit of inclusion present throughout the state.”
Leaders of tech companies like Apple and Yelp have spoken out against RFRAs. Indiana has already lost expanded Angie’s List facilities, entertainers (tour dates cancelled) and a gaming convention. Governors of Connecticut, New York and Washington have imposed bans on state-funded travel to Indiana.
And oh, that anti-gay pizzeria? It was mocked hilariously on social media — a raunchy faux website was created: “call us to cater your gay wedding!” — and deluged with critical phone calls. As of this writing, Memories Pizza was shut down; left only, perhaps, with memories.
Because it’s not just about that veggie slice, any more than 1950’s lunch counter sit-ins were about getting a Woolworth’s milkshake. It’s about being able to live in America and do every normal thing everyone else gets to do – go to school, walk down the street, get married, get a job, go to dinner, shop – without being demeaned by extremists.
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LGBT equality has become a mainstream, core American value. Oppose it in 21st century America and you lose significant business from a customer base that will shun you. As well they should.
3. Religious freedom laws are bad for politicians.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence has had to pretend all week, during the national uproar, that RFRA was about “empowerment,” not discrimination. He dodged questions on national television about whether LGBT discrimination is legal in his state. He must have gotten dizzy from all the bobbing and weaving.
No one believes him. In fact the law was enacted to protect “Christian bakers, florists and photographers” who refuse service to “homosexual marriages.”
Governor Pence’s presidential dreams appear to be dashed, and he’s become the butt of jokes. David Letterman said he looked like “the guy fishing in a Cialis commercial.”
And that’s only the beginning. Anti-gay politicians, take note. Clever Indiana entrepreneurs have set up the First Church of Cannabis to take advantage of the new law. Its founder said it will grow hemp, and “if someone is smoking in our church, God bless them.” The RFRA will make it difficult for the state to deny Church of Cannabis adherents the right to their sacrament, showing again how preposterous the law is.
To those First Church of Cannabis worshippers: After taking that sacrament, and getting the munchies, choose carefully where you order your pizza.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Avvo.
6 comments
Gay Family Law Center
The separation of church and state needs to be upheld. It should not matter if someone is LGBT or not. Discrimination for a persons preference is wrong. We support the LGBT community and hope that Indiana will do the same.
t wesley
Separation of church and state itself has been twisted.. It REALLY means that government will not infringe on church religious beliefs or force their will upon them..We follow what GOD, who created marriage,clearly states that...(read Leviticus).. He forbids it...if you want to fine, you're free to do whatever...somebody will marry you and perform the ceremony...if a christian doesn't want to, he or she shouldn't be forced to...true Christianity says we love the individual but NOT the behavior....
Honestly
You can rest assured that Martin Luther King's dreams of equality never included anything about gay marriage. Just goes to show you how they will twist and lie about whatever they can to force their agenda on the moral majority.
Patrick
Don't you think that you are taking a very liberal and strange interpretation of Madison's remarks, which basically were that the state would never have the ability to infringe on a citizen's rights because of their religious belief? Talk about a twist!
Jon Nolen
The Memories Pizza folks are hosting a GoFundMe to get the culture warriors to pay for their backwardness. We are determined to out raise them in support of the Indiana Youth Group, a LGBT youth outreach and support organization that's been around since 1987.
Thanks for letting this comment stand. Campaign is listed as website.
p blair
Um yeah, that didn't happen, which is why most Americans don't support your cause because the LGBT is doing it all wrong, forcing other people to like you will never gain any support. That is why LGBT people are seen as bully's!