Freedoms Threatened and Innocence Lost:
The Impact of Adding Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression to Statutes and Policies
Hundreds of states, municipalities and schools have added “sexual orientation,” “gender identity” and “gender expression” to non-discrimination and public accommodations laws, ordinances and policies. Sexual orientation is a broad term that includes sexual and romantic attractions and behavior. And while our language used to refer to a person’s sex—male or female, “gender identity and/or expression” are terms created to refer to how people feel, identify and express themselves. In this “transgender” ideology and language, gender is fluid and changeable and there is a legion of “genders” for people to identify as and express.
When these newly created rights come into conflict with religious liberties, religious freedom often loses. In addition, such non-discrimination laws also threaten the privacy and safety of individuals. Listed here are just some examples of this loss of freedom, privacy and safety across our country.
Kentucky T-Shirt And Promotional Goods Company Accused Of Violating Local “Fairness Ordinance”
Lexington-Fayette KY
The owner of a Kentucky T-shirt printing company was found guilty of discriminating against the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization after he declined to print apparel for a gay pride event. Although the Christian owner disagreed with the group’s message, he found another company to print the shirts at same price. A complaint against him was filed anyway, and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission has sided with the homosexual group and ordered the employees to attend diversity training. The company will likely appeal.
High School Girls’ Swim Team Exposed To Naked Man In Women’s Sauna
Olympia, WA
The girls’ swim team from Olympia High School was using the pool and other facilities at nearby Evergreen State College. The mother of one girl complained after her daughter walked into a naked man in a sauna. Girls as young as six-years old, from a local swim club, also share the facilities. The female swim coach asked the man to leave, but later apologized after discovering he was “transgendered.” The college says their non-discrimination policy* prevents them from stopping the “transgender” man from using the women’s facilities. “Colleen Francis” is 45 years old, married three times, and the father of five children. According to one report, he is retired from the US Army, wears a low-dose estrogen patch, takes a mixture of psychiatric medicine, and has no intention of having so-called “sexual reassignment surgery.”
Teacher Announces “Sex Change” To 8-Year Old Students—Without Parents’ Knowledge
Vacaville, CA
A female music teacher at Foxboro Elementary School, Abbey Clark, came to school and announced to her students that she was no longer Abbey Clark, but was “James Clark” and instructed the students that they must refer to her as “Mr. Clark.” The parents of the school children were not informed or consulted about the situation in advance—they learned about it when their children came home from school. About two-dozen children were removed from “Mr.” Clark’s classes by concerned parents.
New Mexico Civil Rights Commission Fines Christian Photographer
Albuquerque, NM
Elaine and Jonathan Huguenin, Christian owners of Elane Photography, were fined almost $7,000 for refusing to photograph the same-sex commitment ceremony of two lesbian-identified women. Celebrating the event would have violated their religious beliefs and freedom of expression. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case.
Employee Fired For Telling Cross-Dressing Male Not To Use Women’s Dressing Room
San Antonio, TX
Natalie Johnson was a store clerk at a Macy’s department store in San Antonio. She noticed a young man wearing make-up and women’s clothing emerging from the women’s dressing room. Ms. Johnson talked to the man, telling him he was not allowed to use the women’s dressing room. The cross-dressing man complained to the store’s management. The management’s response? They fired Ms. Johnson for violating Macy’s anti-discrimination policy, which allows self-described “transgender” people to use whichever changing room they want.
Washington State Attorney General Sues Florist For Holding To Her Faith
Richland, WA
Baronelle Stutzman, the owner of Arlene’s Flowers, said she could not provide flowers for a same-sex wedding, due to her Christian faith. As a result, she was sued by both the state of Washington and the same-sex couple; she has counter-sued the state for violating her freedom.
Catholic Hospital Sued After Refusing Breast Augmentation Surgery To Man
Daly City, CA
A man who claimed to be a woman, “Charlene” Hastings, filed a lawsuit against Seton Medical Center after the hospital refused Hastings’ request for “breast augmentation surgery.” The hospital explained that, as a Catholic institution, it does not allow transgender surgery as it conflicts with church teaching. The lawsuit claimed that the hospital’s denial of breast enlargement for Hastings caused “shock, embarrassment, intimidation, physical distress and injury, humiliation, fear, stress, and other damages.” Seton Medical Center eventually settled the lawsuit, paying Hastings $200,000. Discrimination against anyone who claims to be “transgendered” is illegal under California law.
Church Loses Tax-Exempt Status On Retreat Property
Ocean Grove, NJ
A United Methodist church retreat property no longer qualifies for a tax-exemption after administrators declined to allow a same-sex civil union ceremony to be conducted at its seaside pavilion. Same-sex civil unions are contrary to church beliefs. A New Jersey judge ruled that the Constitution allows “some intrusion into religious freedom to balance other important societal goals.”
A Biological Male, With Breast Implants, Demands To Use Women’s Locker Rooms At Athletic Club
Worcester, MA
A man who claimed to be a woman demanded to use the women’s locker room at the Bally Total Fitness Club, but was denied by the club’s management. The individual, “Natasha Lee West,” had breast implant surgery but retained other male anatomy. The case was reported in the homosexual newspaper “Bay Windows” under the headline: “Health club harasses transwoman.”
Denny’s Forced To Accommodate Men Dressed As Women In Women’s Bathrooms
Auburn, ME
Bruce Freeman, a regular Denny’s restaurant customer, changed his name to “Brianna” Freeman; began wearing women’s clothing, makeup, and jewelry; and also started using the women’s restroom at Denny’s. A female patron complained to the restaurant management about Freeman’s presence in the women’s bathroom, and a manager told Freeman that he would have to use the men’s room. Freeman filed a complaint, and the Maine Human Rights Commission ruled in 2009 that Denny’s was indeed guilty of discrimination. In 2011, Denny’s reached a settlement agreement with Freeman, and now allows any person who claims to be “transgendered” to use whatever restroom is consistent with their personal “gender identity.” The new policy applies at all Denny’s restaurants in the state of Maine.
Transgender-Identified Student, Biological Female, Files Complaint Over Dorm Position
Oxford, OH
A transgender student filed a complaint against Miami University of Ohio because the student was refused a campus housing position as a resident advisor in a male dormitory. The student, born female, identifies as male. Both the university and the town of Oxford, Ohio, have policies protecting “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” in housing, employment, and public accommodations.
Human Rights Commission Orders School To Allow “Transgender” Boy In Girls’ Restroom
Orono, ME
A fifth-grade boy at Asa Adams Elementary School claimed that he was, in reality, a female and therefore entitled to use the girls’ restroom. The school would not allow the boy to use the girls’ restroom and assigned him a separate restroom. The parents of the boy accused the school of “implicitly isolating” their child by not allowing him to use the girls’ restroom. The Maine Human Rights Commission ruled against the school, saying that it had practiced unlawful discrimination by not allowing the boy to use the restroom of his choice.
Student Group Files Complaint Over Bathrooms And Locker Rooms
Pittsburgh, PA
The Rainbow Alliance, a student group at the University of Pittsburgh, filed a complaint with the city’s Commission on Human Relations for violating the rights of “transgender” students in accommodations. A female student, who lives as a man, was expelled for using the men’s locker room, after told not to do so. The city code identifies sex as “the gender of a person, as perceived, presumed or assumed by others, including those who are changing or have changed their gender identification.” Students at the school want to use the locker rooms and restrooms of their choice, regardless of birth sex.
Gay-Identified Couple Files Complaint Against Two Bed And Breakfasts
Mattoon, IL
The two men filed complaints with the Illinois Attorney General’s office and the Dept. of Human Rights against two separate bed and breakfast establishments for refusing to rent them space for a civil union ceremony and reception. The owners refused based on their religious beliefs.
Innkeepers Sued For Not Providing Accommodations For Lesbian
Lyndonville, VT
A lesbian-identified couple filed suit in Vermont Superior Court, accusing the Wildflower Inn of violating Vermont’s Fair Housing and Public Accommodations Act, which prohibits turning away patrons based on sexual orientation. The Catholic owners paid $30,000 in fines, despite their religious belief that marriage is the union of one man and one woman.
