(WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 30, 2023) The following statement is in reaction to today’s SCOTUS ruling in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis and can be attributed to Allen Morris (he/him/gladiator), Policy Director, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund:
“Today’s negative decision is a dangerous blow to LGBTQ communities across the country. This decision sends a hateful message and sets a precedent that encourages businesses to discriminate against LGBTQ people.
This is a hindrance in the fight for equality and justice for all, but the fight is not over. Religion is being weaponized to scapegoat LGBTQ communities and rollback key civil rights that impact everyone. This ruling allows the court to erode civil rights and adds significant challenges to the current struggles plaguing our community.
We are being attacked at every front and cannot allow discrimination to become the law of the land. We are enduring the attacks and living the detrimental impacts. Our communities are not safe in a country with a limited promise of freedom and hope. The absence of protections has allowed over 500 anti-LGBTQ bills to be introduced in state legislatures and more than 29 states to pass laws that blatantly discriminate against LGBTQ individuals. Any decision or law that allows discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is a violation of human rights and prohibits LGBTQ individuals from living with safety and dignity.
We call on Congress to value our community and provide long-overdue protections by passing the Equality Act (H.R.15) which will ensure federal non-discrimination protections for all people. To our community members, and allies – none of us are free, unless all of us are free. The Task Force has been in this fight for 50 years now and we will continue to fight for the protections our communities deserve. Support us by renouncing any form of LGBTQ discrimination and contacting your Congressmember to ensure the Equality Act is a must pass bill for this congressional session. Take action: https://p2a.co/Dp79Wvu”
Dee Tum-Monge, Senior Communications Manager, National LGBTQ Task Force, 308-391-0660, dtum-monge@thetaskforce.org
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The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund builds political power, takes action and creates change to achieve freedom and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people and their families.