Most Americans Oppose Anti-LGBT "Religious Freedom" Laws—So Why Does Donald Trump Support Them?
Senator Jeff Sessions, President Donald Trump‘s nominee for Attorney General, has come out strong in support of the First Amendment Defense Act, which would prevent the government from penalizing someone who "believes or acts in accordance with a religious belief that marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman, or sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage."
If FADA becomes law, LGBT rights advocates say it will be used to protect bigots who want to discriminate against same-sex couples, women seeking abortions or anyone else who fails to meet their deeply held "religious beliefs."
Asked by Sen. Al Franken why he thinks a law is needed to "defend" an existing Amendment to the Constitution, Sessions insisted "I supported this legislation because I believe that we can, and should, protect the rights of all citizens— including LGBT individuals and those with traditional views of marriage.
President Trump has given FADA his support, as well, telling CBS in November that "If I am elected president and Congress passes the First Amendment Defense Act, I will sign it to protect the deeply held religious beliefs of Catholics and the beliefs of Americans of all faiths," That pledge is still on his website, under "Issues of Importance to Catholics."
But both men are out of step with the majority of Americans, who oppose so-called "religious freedom" laws.
A recent Harris Poll found that two-thirds of Americans (66%) oppose laws allowing businesses to refuse service to LGBT persons based on religious objections.
Surveying 2,192 adults, the poll also found that 62% oppose state laws that repeal or overturn local or city LGBT anti-discrimination laws and ban cities from passing similar protections in the future.
Those numbers are encouraging: In the decade leading up to the Supreme Court's marriage equality decision, Obergefell v. Hodges,, the percent of Americans who supported same-sex marriage jumped from 39% to 61%.
In his inauguration, Donald Trump promised that his administration was "transferring power from Washington, D.C. and giving it back to you, the people."
Well, Mr. President, the people have spoken.
