In a “Dear Colleague” letter, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announced legislative priorities for next week’s House session, February 23-26. Among Hoyer’s priorities is passage of the deceptively-named “Equality Act.” The act would add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to federal nondiscrimination laws.

“Sexual orientation” is very subjective, and refers to numerous changeable aspects of a person, including sexual and romantic thoughts, feelings, attractions, experiences, behaviors and identity. People aren’t born with a specific “sexual orientation,” nor is sexual orientation fixed and unchangeable.

“Gender identity” refers to how people think about themselves as male or female, some combination of the two, or neither. Modern transgender ideology teaches, among other things: There are no real differences between men and women (except for supposedly incidental genetic, hormonal and reproductive ones); gender is fluid and changeable; an infinite number of genders exist; and, individuals create their own genders (including having no gender).

The “Equality Act” would elevate these to the same level as other protected characteristics, such as race, color, religion, sex and national origin. In doing so, it threatens First Amendment freedoms such as religious liberty, free speech and freedom of association. The legislation creates even more havoc, threatening women’s sports, conscience rights, charitable institutions, privacy and safety.

The last version of the Equality Act, H.R. 5, was passed by the House in 2019 but then stalled in the Senate. If this year’s version follows the same pattern, it will add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991, the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, and other federal nondiscrimination laws. 

H.R. 5 included pro-abortion language. It would have redefined “sex” – meaning male or female – to include the following: a sex stereotype; pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition; sexual orientation or gender identity; and sex characteristics, including intersex traits. Adding “pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition” to the meaning of “sex” is a nod to abortion activists, as refusing to participate in an abortion could be deemed “discriminatory.”

The Supreme Court already changed the meaning of “sex” to include homosexuality and transgenderism, in the horrendous decision Bostock v. Clayton County, but that decision only affected the employment portion for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The “Equality Act” goes further, affecting virtually every area of life – from federal funding to public accommodations, and from education to parental rights.

As we’ve previously explained at The Daily Citizen, here are some of the damaging effects of this legislation:

  • Single-sex facilities, such as dressing roomsshowers and restrooms, would be open to those who believe they are or claim to be the opposite sex – putting privacy and safety at risk for everyone.
  • Businesses would be forced to support events and ideas they disagree with – or lose discrimination lawsuits.
  • Shelters for women who have suffered emotional and physical abuse from men would be open to biological men who believe they are women.
  • Faith-based foster care and adoption agencies that believe children deserve a mother and father would be forced to place children with same-sex couples or shut down.
  • Medical providers could be forced to violate their religious and scientific beliefs and provide drugs, hormones and surgeries for those “transitioning” to the opposite sex.
  • Businesses and faith-based groups could be forced to provide insurance coverage for contraceptives and abortions – against their deeply held beliefs.
  • Biological men who believe they are women would be able to compete in women’s sports at every level, from school to amateur to professional.
  • The act would regulate “thought, belief and speech,” wrote the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, requiring people to assent to “new beliefs about human identity” that are contrary to their faith and beliefs.
  • Parents who do not support their child’s gender confusion could lose custody of their children because of their “discriminatory” beliefs.
  • School children would be introduced to transgender ideology and concepts such as sexual orientation as early as pre-school – against the beliefs and wishes of parents.
  • Teachers would be forced to comply with this agenda, or risk losing their jobs.
  • Ministries that provide counseling and support for those with unwanted homosexuality or gender confusion would risk discrimination lawsuits.

President Joe Biden has made clear that he supports the measure. “The Biden Plan to Advance LGBTQ+ Equality in America and Around the World,” part of “Joe Biden’s Vision for America,” said, “Biden will make enactment of the Equality Act during his first 100 days as President a top legislative priority.” With a Democrat-controlled House and Senate, he’s likely to succeed.

Related articles and resources:

Do ‘Gender Identity’ Laws Affect Me and My Family?

“Equality Act” – An Assault on Freedom, Privacy and Safety

The “Equality Act” Would Mark the End of Religious Conscience

House Passes Deceptively-Named “Equality Act”

If the Equality Act Passes, Women Will be Vulnerable in Restrooms Across the Country

Keeping Your Family Safe in Public Restrooms

Responding to “SOGI” Laws—Tone and Truth

Senate Once Again Rejects Dangerous ‘Equality Act’

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