revelarts
09-20-2016, 10:36 PM
New Massachusetts law may force churches to let ‘transgender’ men use women’s restrooms
BOSTON, Massachusetts, September 13, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) — Churches could be affected in the state of Massachusetts by a new law that forces transgender acceptance on all citizens.
The state law, passed by the Massachusetts legislature in June, adds "gender identity" to anti-discrimination laws, equating self-chosen sexual preference with immutable characteristics such as race and biology.
In July, Governor Charlie Baker, a Republican, betrayed a campaign promise and signed the bill into law. The new transgender-affirming law is to take effect on October 1.
The Massachusetts Commission Against Defamation (MCAD), which will enforce the new law, issued a "Gender Identity Guidance" directive on September 1 to explain the law in practical terms.
The directive raises grave concerns among Christians that the government is forcing churches to facilitate homosexual and transgender ideology against their religious freedoms.
The MCAD directive lists compliance requirements for employers, landlords, credit and mortgage services, but it is the section on "Public Accommodation" that has stirred the greatest controversy.
The commission's directive defines "public accommodation" as “anyplace, whether licensed or unlicensed, which is open to and accepts or solicits the patronage of the general public," and includes "private and public places."
Including churches.
"Even a church could be seen as a place of public accommodation if it holds a secular event, such as a spaghetti supper, that is open to the general public," the MCAD directive states.
"I can't think of a single church I know that doesn't hold itself 'open to the general public' virtually all the time," Massachusetts Family Institute President Andrew Beckwith told LifeSiteNews. "People of faith seek to invite their community into the church to hear the Gospel and be ministered to."
"It appears that the authors of this guidance are determined to force a radical ideology of sexual expression onto our communities of faith against our will and our sincerely held religious beliefs," Beckwith concluded. "Ironically, it was this tyranny of state intrusion into church matters which sent the pilgrims here in the first place."....
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/new-massachusetts-transgender-law-could-impact-churches?utm_source=LifePetitions+petition+signers&utm_campaign=fe0101d09d-Update_Pro_Life_9_139_13_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c5c75ce940-fe0101d09d-399890369
and the beat goes on.
what a legal and cultural horror show it's becoming
BOSTON, Massachusetts, September 13, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) — Churches could be affected in the state of Massachusetts by a new law that forces transgender acceptance on all citizens.
The state law, passed by the Massachusetts legislature in June, adds "gender identity" to anti-discrimination laws, equating self-chosen sexual preference with immutable characteristics such as race and biology.
In July, Governor Charlie Baker, a Republican, betrayed a campaign promise and signed the bill into law. The new transgender-affirming law is to take effect on October 1.
The Massachusetts Commission Against Defamation (MCAD), which will enforce the new law, issued a "Gender Identity Guidance" directive on September 1 to explain the law in practical terms.
The directive raises grave concerns among Christians that the government is forcing churches to facilitate homosexual and transgender ideology against their religious freedoms.
The MCAD directive lists compliance requirements for employers, landlords, credit and mortgage services, but it is the section on "Public Accommodation" that has stirred the greatest controversy.
The commission's directive defines "public accommodation" as “anyplace, whether licensed or unlicensed, which is open to and accepts or solicits the patronage of the general public," and includes "private and public places."
Including churches.
"Even a church could be seen as a place of public accommodation if it holds a secular event, such as a spaghetti supper, that is open to the general public," the MCAD directive states.
"I can't think of a single church I know that doesn't hold itself 'open to the general public' virtually all the time," Massachusetts Family Institute President Andrew Beckwith told LifeSiteNews. "People of faith seek to invite their community into the church to hear the Gospel and be ministered to."
"It appears that the authors of this guidance are determined to force a radical ideology of sexual expression onto our communities of faith against our will and our sincerely held religious beliefs," Beckwith concluded. "Ironically, it was this tyranny of state intrusion into church matters which sent the pilgrims here in the first place."....
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/new-massachusetts-transgender-law-could-impact-churches?utm_source=LifePetitions+petition+signers&utm_campaign=fe0101d09d-Update_Pro_Life_9_139_13_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c5c75ce940-fe0101d09d-399890369
and the beat goes on.
what a legal and cultural horror show it's becoming