5 Surprising, Diverse Public Figures Speak Out against the 'Equality Act': "We're Talking about Civil TYRANNY, Not Civil Rights"

Josh Shepherd : May 23, 2019
The Stream

"The legislation would make it unlawful to differentiate among girls and women in sports on the basis of sex ... For example, a sports team couldn't treat a transgender woman differently from a woman who is not transgender on the grounds that the former is male-bodied ... [Some say] there is 'ample evidence that girls can compete and win against boys. They are wrong. The evidence is unequivocal ... in every sport except sailing, shooting and riding." -Tennis Star Martina Navratilova

[Stream.org] On Friday, the US House voted 236-173 to pass the Equality Act. If enacted, the sweeping proposal would impact businesses, schools, churches, and all places of public accommodation nationwide. (Image: International Tennis Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova (R) high fives Serena Williams after playing in an exhibition doubles match at the Rogers Cup tennis tournament in Toronto, Canada on August 17, 2009/Flickr-James G/via The Stream)

The bill revises the 1964 Civil Rights Act and other non-discrimination policies, adding "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to characteristics such as race, color, and national origin.

Conservative analysts have called the bill a dangerous attempt to expand abortion services. Medical experts have lamented its potential harm to minors.

And Christian counselors have noted how these policies reflect confusion on sexuality issues in the Church and culture.

Eight Republicans crossed the aisle to support the Equality Act and 16 Republicans did not vote. Three Democratic House members running for President—Seth Moulton (MA), Tim Ryan (OH), and Eric Swalwell (CA)—also abstained from voting on it.

Stealth Route Through the Senate?

Many observers assume the far-reaching proposal will be halted in the US Senate. While the Trump administration has criticized the bill, he stopped short of a veto threat.

Family Research Council (FRC) has led the fight against the bill. The conservative advocacy group warns it could be enacted through multiple avenues.

"The Equality Act won't pass the Senate, but the bill is not dead," stated FRC senior legislative assistant Mary Beth Waddell via e-mail, who has tracked the bill for months. "It makes changes to approximately ten different civil rights laws. Democrats in both the House and Senate have introduced multiple bills that make those same changes, one 'civil rights law' at a time."

She noted Democratic leaders may use "less controversial" bills to pass parts of the comprehensive bill. "Given how harmful the Equality Act is, we should certainly remain vigilant," said Waddell.

Several diverse figures in politics and culture have publicly stated their concerns with the Equality Act.

1. Tennis Star Martina Navratilova Defends Level Athletic Playing Field

She is regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Now nine-time Wimbledon champion and lesbian rights activist Martina Navratilova has made enemies by speaking out against the bill... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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