Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

LiberalElite

(14,691 posts)
Fri Apr 26, 2013, 08:32 PM Apr 2013

Washington state bill would allow businesses to deny gays

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/26/washington-state-gay-discrimination/2116231/

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Several Republican lawmakers filed a bill Thursday seeking an exemption to the state's anti-discrimination laws just weeks after legal action was taken against a Richland florist who denied service to a gay couple for their upcoming wedding.

The bill introduced by Sen. Sharon Brown, R-Kennewick, would allow businesses the right to deny services or goods if they felt doing so was contrary to their "sincerely held religious beliefs, philosophical beliefs, or matters of conscience."
6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Washington state bill would allow businesses to deny gays (Original Post) LiberalElite Apr 2013 OP
hitler had "sincerely held" beliefs. what could go wrong with this balone then? nt msongs Apr 2013 #1
So that goes around in a circle then? Newest Reality Apr 2013 #2
Okay fine but BethanyQuartz Apr 2013 #3
agreed gopiscrap Apr 2013 #4
Come to think of it my atheist humanist beliefs don't allow me to serve rightwingers either! BethanyQuartz Apr 2013 #5
If those businesses LostOne4Ever Apr 2013 #6

Newest Reality

(12,712 posts)
2. So that goes around in a circle then?
Fri Apr 26, 2013, 08:46 PM
Apr 2013

Could a bus driver refuse to let someone on the bus because of his "sincerely held religious beliefs, philosophical beliefs, or matters of conscience."

African Americans were made to sit in the back of the bus because of that kind of thinking.

If businesses are allowed to discriminate based on those values and they will deny people services or goods based on their sexual preferences, then maybe they are in the wrong business and who is to stop them from using those "beliefs" on anyone else?

Yes, I know that businesses, in a sense, have a right to refuse customers, however, we can all assess that as a matter of behavior, proper dress, etc. When we get to this red line again, that is unconscionable and unacceptable.

That bill is inherently dangerous in many ways.

 

BethanyQuartz

(193 posts)
3. Okay fine but
Fri Apr 26, 2013, 09:20 PM
Apr 2013

No government assistance of any kind, state or federal, for anything. No FEMA, fire, police, nothing. And officers can't moonlight for them doing security or whatever either. And they have to post their policies on the premises and on their website (prominently) so people know to boycott their bigoted butts.

gopiscrap

(24,219 posts)
4. agreed
Fri Apr 26, 2013, 10:30 PM
Apr 2013

also my sincerely held religious beliefs would not allow me to serve conservatives!

 

BethanyQuartz

(193 posts)
5. Come to think of it my atheist humanist beliefs don't allow me to serve rightwingers either!
Fri Apr 26, 2013, 10:40 PM
Apr 2013

LostOne4Ever

(9,603 posts)
6. If those businesses
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 05:28 AM
Apr 2013

If those businesses so strongly believe that gay marriage goes against their "sincerely held religious beliefs, philosophical beliefs, or matters of conscience" then they are in LUCK!

They can choose not to get married to someone of the same sex!!!

But no they should not get the right to discriminate against OTHER people for not following THEIR religious views.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»LGBT Civil Rights and Activism»Washington state bill wou...