TEXAS: GOP Lawmaker Introduces New Bill To Legalize Anti-Gay Discrimination

GOP Texas state Sen. Donna Campbell has introduced a bill that would legalize anti-gay discrimination on the basis of "sincerely held religious beliefs." Via Lone Star Q:

Campbell introduced a nearly identical measure two years ago, but it died in committee. The 2013 measure was supported by the anti-LGBT group Texas Values and opposed by Equality Texas. Texas already has a statute, the Religous Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), that provides strong protections for religious freedom. However, critics say Campbell’s proposal would go much further than the Texas RFRA. For example, while the RFRA says government “may not substantially burden” an individual’s religious freedom, SJR10 states only that government “may not burden” an individual’s religious freedom. Removing the word “substantially” would significantly alter the scope of the law, as outlined in testimony from former state Rep. Scott Hochberg in 2013. Also, unlike the RFRA, Campbell’s proposal doesn’t include exceptions for enforcement of civil rights laws.

(Tipped by JMG reader Win)