A law in Massachusetts meant to require the public to provide a broad range of access and accommodation to anyone claiming to be a transgender went into effect October 1st.
Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a suit to block the law.
The ADF contends in the lawsuit that churches would be forced to open changing rooms, shower facilities and restrooms based on perceived gender identity and not on biological sex. The group says because the law also prohibits covered entities from making statements intended to discriminate or to incite others to do so, Healey and the commission “also intend to force churches and pastors to refrain from religious expression regarding sexuality that conflicts with the government’s views.”
A few weeks ago I spoke with Dustin Siggins about the new law and the footnotes in the guidance issued by the state make it clear that churches could be in the crosshairs.The law requires people in “public places” to use their gender pronoun of choice of anyone who insists. Refusing to do so can result in charges of discrimination, and investigation, and pay up to $2,500.00. So, if you don’t know, and the individual(s) are not required to provide any proof, the state is compelling you to speak a certain way upon demand or face a public investigation and a fine.
Anyone inclined to do so could litigate a church out of existence. And there are plenty of folks with the inclination.
Here’s my interview with Dustin.
