Today, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin signed SB 17 into law, a measure that allows student groups at colleges, universities, and high schools to discriminate against LGBTQ students.
SB 17 undermines inclusive “all comers” policies at public colleges, universities, and now high schools, by allowing student organizations to discriminate against students under the guise of religion. Many public colleges and universities have long had “all-comers” policies that require student organizations receiving financial and other support from the institution not to discriminate against students based on race, sex, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. These policies are important because they allow all members of the student body to participate in students groups and prevent such groups from discriminating against students with state funding. The Supreme Court upheld these all-comers policies as constitutional in the Christian Legal Society v. Martinez decision in 2010.
“Gov. Bevin’s shameful decision to sign this discriminatory bill into law jeopardizes non-discrimination policies at public high schools, colleges, and universities,” said HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow. “No student should fear being excluded from a school club or participating in a school activity because they are LGBTQ. While of course private groups should have the freedom to express religious viewpoints, they should not be able to unfairly discriminate with taxpayer funds.”
Typical Republican. I hope the Governor himself gets sued over this.
Why is it that just because a law protects religious expression is passed its anti gay??
Your question answers itself.
My religion tells me that being gay is a sin so I can discriminate in a university club that receives money from its gay citizens.
I guess we should return that part of the money that comes from “THE GAYS”.
Yeah right.
We are supposed to be taking steps forward not backwards. Very disappointed by this.
This law isn’t homophobic in intent in any way at all. It is simply allowing religious people to express their opinions the same way everyone else can. People have been and always will be able to at the very least SAY what they think is right. Whether or not you believe them is your own business, but saying that religious people shouldn’t be able to state their opinion is wrong and unconstitutional.