The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a press release on Saturday maintaining its opposition to the Equality Act and supporting Rep. Chris Stewart’s alternative bill, which he says will protect both LGBTQ rights and freedom. religious.
“We maintain our 2019 statements and reiterate the church’s support for equality and equity,” the statement said. “We could support legislation that provides protection to LGBT people, as well as people and institutions of faith. Both are possible and clearly required in a just society.”
In 2019, the Utah-based faith said it was concerned that the Equality Act, which seeks to protect LGBTQ rights at the federal level, would not safeguard religious freedom. The church warned that the act would impose secular standards on religious activities, defund religious religious charities, and devastate religious education.
Stewart said his proposal would also protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in housing and employment, while allowing schools to follow religious standards without being unfunded and small business owners refusing to engage in activities contrary to their beliefs.
Civil and gay rights groups said Stewart’s bill would repeal existing protections that prevented discrimination on the basis of race and sex.
The Equality Act is back on the table this year. The House has passed, but it is seen that a divided Senate is unlikely to pass. Stewart has also introduced his bill.
The LDS Church reaffirmed on Saturday that it supports measures that protect LGBT people as well as people and religious institutions.
“The Church supports legislation, such as that introduced by Rep. Chris Stewart, that meets both critical requirements,” he said, “and is confident that a balanced, fair and unifying approach can be achieved.”
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