Christian and Muslim groups want faith protections added to LGBTQ rights bill

(Detroit Free Press) Christian and Muslim groups are raising concerns about a state bill supported by Democrats and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that seeks to include LGBTQ people as a protected group under a civil rights law.

Catholic, Protestant, Muslim and Republican leaders say that state Senate Bill 4, introduced last month, could lead to discrimination against religious people and groups, exposing them to potential lawsuits if they articulate conservative views on marriage and sexuality. They're asking supporters of the bill to include a section that explicitly protects the rights of religious groups, something they said 22 other states included when they passed laws to add sexual orientation as a protected category.

"We strongly believe Michigan should include protections for religious organizations in Senate Bill 4 to avoid faith-based organizations, particularly those who believe marriage is between a man and a woman, from being targeted for litigation," Tom Hickson, vice president for public policy and advocacy for the Michigan Catholic Conference, said this month to the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. "Every state that has amended its anti-discrimination law ... has included protections for religious organizations. Unfortunately, Michigan appears to be going in an opposite and unprecedented direction."

The Michigan Catholic Conference, which is the main lobbying and advocacy arm of the Catholic Church in Michigan, said it is extending an "olive branch to supporters" of the bill to find a resolution.

"We will try to find common ground on this topic," Hickson said. ...............(more)

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/02/26/christian-and-muslim-groups-oppose-lgbtq-rights-bill-call-for-changes/69915513007/