Rep. Cicilline: States Using Religion as ‘Excuse for Discrimination’ Against LGBT

Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) said at a press conference on Thursday that the bill he sponsored to include “sex,” “sexual orientation,” and “gender identity” as protected classes under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was needed to counter state laws and proposed state laws that are “allowing religion to be used as an excuse for discrimination.”

 

Cicilline said many state laws — on the books or proposed — “legalize discrimination” against homosexuals and can be found in almost 200 bills in 34 states.

 

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