WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today members of Congress reintroduced the Do No Harm Act, a bill that would restore the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to its original intent: protecting minority religious groups’ constitutional right to freely exercise their religious beliefs.
Denise Brogan-Kator, chief policy officer at Family Equality Council, released the following statement:
“Unfortunately the need for the Do No Harm Act is more urgent than ever, as individuals, businesses and institutions are using religious beliefs to justify discrimination and service refusal ever more frequently. In an effort to justify this discrimination, we see a worrying trend toward distortion of the original intent of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, in an effort to justify such discrimination. The recent passage of license to discriminate child welfare bills in states across the country is one pernicious example where religious beliefs are weaponized to justify discrimination against those of other faiths, and against LGBTQ people.”
Family Equality Council calls on Congress to pass the Do No Harm Act to limit the ability of institutions and individuals to use RFRA to avoid complying with generally applicable federal non-discrimination laws and other laws regulating wages and compensation, child labor, health care services, and other services. Passing the Do No Harm Act would restore RFRA to its original intent — protecting religious freedom in cases such as those involving the right to wear religious garb and observe religious holidays — while making clear that it cannot be used to harm others.
About Family Equality Council
Family Equality Council advances legal and lived equality for LGBTQ families, and for those who wish to form them, through building community, changing hearts and minds, and driving policy change. Family Equality Council believes every LGBTQ person should have the right and opportunity to form and sustain a loving family, regardless of who they are or where they live. Learn more at www.familyequality.org
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Media Contact:
Ed Harris, Chief Communications Officer, Family Equality Council
646-880-3005 x117 / eharris@familyequality.org