Opposing the
Equality Act

Equality Act - H.R. 5, S. 393​

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• The Equality Act threatens religious freedom and treats people of faith as bigots and lawbreaking discriminators, by disallowing application of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

• The Act overrules medical judgment and science with government mandates, by enforcing compliance with a gender ideology that contradicts biology.

• The Act amends and violates the original purpose of the Civil Rights Act, by adding individuals to protected classes on the basis of psychological and decisional factors rather than on the basis of immutable qualities such as race.

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Bill text excerpts

* Applies to many: "…any establishment that provides a good, service, or program, including a store, shopping center, online retailer or service provider, salon, bank, gas station, food bank, service or care center, shelter, travel agency, or funeral parlor, or establishment that provides health care, accounting, or legal services…."

* Applies to pregnancy: "The term ‘sex’ includes—(A) a sex stereotype; (B) pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition…." "…(with respect to sex) pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition shall not receive less favorable treatment than other physical conditions…."

* No faith exemptions: "The Religious Freedom Restoration Act shall not provide a claim concerning, or … a basis for challenging the application or enforcement of a covered title."

* No biology: "…by inserting '(including sexual orientation and gender identity),' after 'sex,' each place that term appears…."

* No dissent: "…discrimination against a married same-sex couple could be based on the sex stereotype that marriage should only be between heterosexual couples."

* No protection: "…an individual shall not be denied access to a shared facility, including a restroom, a locker room, and a dressing room, that is in accordance with the individual's gender identity."

What the Equality Act would do

This bill would change the definition of "sex discrimination" from its historical basis in biology (i.e., male/female) to instead include subjective ideological factors such as gender identity and sexual orientation. The bill would impose legal penalties against anyone who does not share this ideology. It would:

• penalize health professionals who decline, on the basis of medical research and/or ethical convictions, to participate in gender reassignment surgeries or hormonal treatments for children or adults;

• mandate opening up girls' and women's locker rooms, domestic abuse shelters and other facilities to biological males who identify as female;

• put females at an unfair physical disadvantage in sports, forcing them to compete against biological males who identify as female.

• eliminate for all Americans the application of Religious Freedom Restoration Act faith, conscience and speech protections.

To stop Congress from passing this incredibly dangerous bill, use this editable message. Feel free to mention your own qualifications (e.g., parent, health professional, educator, etc.), views and experience.
Thank you for taking the time to take a stand.

Equality Act bill text - 117th Congress

What health professionals say

"We oppose this bill as health professionals who endeavor to treat all patients with respect and compassion, in accordance with sound medical judgment and ethics."

--Freedom2Care and Christian Medical Association

Freedom2Care, CMA letter to Senate

"Just as my conscience requires me to treat the women in my care as I would want to be treated, it also requires me not to do things to them that are immoral or against my best medical judgment." --Dr. Regina Frost

Dr. Regina Frost testimony

"I serve all patients, no matter their background, religion, political views, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status." --Dr. Joy Draper

Dr. Joy Draper testimony

"National polling shows nearly all health professionals of faith like myself care for all patients in need, even when we cannot validate their choices. Conscience protections are vital to our practice of medicine."

--Dr. Andre Van Mol

Dr. Andre Van Mol testimony

Senate Hearing: March 17, 2021

"When gender identity is privileged over biological sex, females lose. It’s that simple." --Attorney Mary Hasson, EPPC

Testimony of Mary Hasson

Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center

"Just last week, after the Washington Correctional Center for Women began housing prisoners according to gender identity, half a dozen men transferred into the women's prison. One of the inmates raped a female in the women's prison upon arrival." --Journalist Abigail Shrier

Testimony of Abigail Shrier

Journalist and Author

"The Bill also sneaks in a mandate that healthcare professionals must assist with gender transitions and abortions, even if they cannot do so consistent with their religious beliefs or best medical judgment."

Written testimony of Becket

Senate hearing

full video and written testimonies

House Hearing: April 2, 2019

Resources - Other groups