By Baptist Message staff WASHINGTON, D.C. (LBM) – The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed, Feb. 25, the Equality Act, a bill that would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to protect people from discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. However, critics of the bill contend it poses a serious threat to religious liberty and women’s sports as well as the unborn. The legislation “expands the definition of public accommodations to include places or establishments that provide (1) exhibitions, recreation, exercise, amusement, gatherings, or displays; (2) goods, services, or programs; and (3) transportation services. The bill allows the Department of Justice to intervene in equal protection actions in federal court on account of sexual orientation or gender identity.” Meaning, the bill could force females to share locker rooms and restrooms with biological males, whether transitioned or not. National Right to Life posted on their Facebook page that the Equality Act contains language “that could be construed to create a right to demand abortion from health care providers, and likely would place at risk the authority of the government to prohibit taxpayer-funded abortions.” Three Republicans … [Read more...]