Trump uses faith as excuse for pro-discrimination order

Washington, DC, May 4, 2017 — The National LGBTQ Task Force is issuing the following statement regarding President Donald Trump’s Executive Order signed today at the White House.

“This order manipulates faith to advance the proliferation of discrimination against people who rely on reproductive contraception for their healthcare needs as well as tax payer funded use of money in politics to promote discrimination. The impact of this state-sponsored discrimination will be felt by women, LGBTQ people and other marginalized communities. The irony of this order is that millions of people of faith are affronted by the fact that Trump is misusing religious freedom to promote something they believe is morally wrong. Instead of providing ‘regulatory relief’ to those who want to be able to discriminate by imposing their faith on others, our leaders should be working diligently to give relief to the millions of people who are still vulnerable. Also, millions of people in this country will be deeply offended that Trump cited Dr. Martin Luther King Jr — who would have been appalled by this attempt to promote prejudice or bias in the name of religious freedom. Our constitution clearly already preserves these rights and covers the freedom of religion. No executive order will ever change that fundamental right,” said Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force.

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CONTACT:

Jorge Amaro
Media and Public Relations Director
213-842-7564
jamaro@thetaskforce.org