Louisiana Lawmaker Tries And Fails To Explain How ‘Religious Freedom’ Bill Doesn’t Discriminate

[cbayer]

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2015/05/07/3656171/louisiana-marriage-conscience-discrimination/

BY ZACK FORD POSTED ON MAY 7, 2015 AT 10:34 AM


Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson (R)
CREDIT: YOUTUBE/LOUISIANAFORLIBERTY

If Louisiana state Rep. Mike Johnson (R) wants to convince the public that his “Marriage and Conscience Act” (HB 707) does not promote discrimination against same-sex couples, he’s chosen a funny way to go about. In a video on his new website promoting the bill, “Louisiana for Liberty,” Johnson opens by citing the examples of an Oregon bakery, a New York event venue, and a New Mexico photographer, all of whom suffered penalties under state law for “respectfully” — as Johnson describes it — refusing to serve same-sex couples.

“It’s stories like these that have compelled us to introduce the Louisiana Marriage and Conscience Act,” he explains. “This new law, if enacted, would protect a Louisiana citizen or business from being punished by the state simply for abiding by their sincerely held religious beliefs about marriage.” In other words, Johnson wants to ensure that the kind of discrimination that has been outlawed in other states can continue in Louisiana.

Throughout his talking points in the video and across the website, Johnson describes how the bill “provides an important shield for people of faith,” but ” a sword to no one.” But in Louisiana, citizens and business already have the metaphorical sword; no statewide law protects against discrimination against LGBT people. Only the cities of Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport, along with Jefferson Parish, offer such protections at the local level. Giving a shield to businesses and organizations that would discriminate doubles how equipped they are to refuse service to same-sex couples.

The bill has been amended since it was first introduced, but still seeks to explicitly cement discrimination against same-sex couples. “This state shall not take an adverse action against a person, wholly or partially,” the bill reads, “on the basis that such person acts in accordance with a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction that marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman.” According to this language, the bill only protects those who have a belief against same-sex marriage, essentially endorsing one set of religious beliefs over others.

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[HassleCat]

1. Why Explain?

You can't explain the mysterious way God works his miracles. Somehow, God causes blithering idiots to get elected to public office, and they do His will on earth. Just the way it is.

[cbayer]

2. His "explanation" is so convoluted. He's just doubling down on the idiocy.

[trotsky]

3. His "idiocy" is based on his deeply-held religious beliefs...

which you cannot disprove. It sucks painting yourself into a corner like that, but there you are.

[shenmue]

4. Another place I know not to visit

[cbayer]

5. New Orleans is wonderful.

Actually, much of the whole state is wonderful, but the politics are abysmal. The rural/conservative areas are really out there and they dominate.

[shenmue]

6. I've been there before. I'm not going back.

[cbayer]

7. Bad experience?

[shenmue]

8. Read the OP

I'm not going back.

[cbayer]

9. Ok, but he doesn't really represent Louisiana, and particularly not New Orleans.

I understand. You represent what is going to be a very, very serious problem for a place that depends so heavily on tourism.

I hope that the rest of the legislature will wake up and smell the crawfish.

[shenmue]

10. I sorry

[LostOne4Ever]

11. When your major premise is that allowing people to discriminate is not discrimination

[font size=4]You are destined to failure.[/font]

[cbayer]

12. Yet, somehow there are those in Louisiana who will vigorously shake

their heads in agreement.

Frightening.