In an attempt to please Donald Trump and Mike Pence's religious base, new policies defending "religious freedom" have been announced by the Justice Department. Within the “key principles” in Attorney General Jeff Sessions’s guidance memo are pledges that the government will not penalize or prosecute religious organizations for their religious beliefs, including who they hire — a dog whistle that announces the department will not come to the aid of LGBT people facing discrimination.
Anti-LGBT Republican representatives see the memo as a victory.
\u201cThis is a landmark day for religious liberty. My statement on today's good news for conscious protections \u2192 https://t.co/pDkqBZKISW\u201d— Paul Ryan (@Paul Ryan) 1507308643
But others are speaking out with the hashtag #LicenseToDiscriminate.
\u201cFYI @realDonaldTrump. Please show Attorney General Jeff Sessions this as well.\u201d— ACLU (@ACLU) 1507306101
\u201cDear @IvankaTrump -I was just thinking abt that day you tweeted about being proud to stand with our LGBTQ community- https://t.co/cDK7gLC5rG\u201d— Stephanie Ruhle (@Stephanie Ruhle) 1507214573
\u201cThe Trump administration's #LicenseToDiscriminate guidance continues its shameful attack on civil and #LGBTQ rights. https://t.co/FKlTxeTxj8\u201d— Vanita Gupta (@Vanita Gupta) 1507307237
\u201cTrump-Pence Administration Unleashes Sweeping Anti-LGBTQ #LicenseToDiscriminate https://t.co/t0eF8nd7uu\u201d— Tegan and Sara (@Tegan and Sara) 1507309080
\u201c#LicensetoDiscriminate comes moments after Trump-Pence administration implements assault on contraception coverage in the name of religion. https://t.co/peYto2td6T\u201d— Human Rights Campaign (@Human Rights Campaign) 1507306081
\u201cLet me be clear: Trump is waging war on the rights of #LGBTQ ppl, women & religious minorities. No one should have a #LicenseToDiscriminate.\u201d— Rep. Barbara Lee (@Rep. Barbara Lee) 1507310768
\u201cBREAKING: On today's episode of "How to Get Away with Discrimination," the DOJ's #LicensetoDiscriminate EO guidance. https://t.co/JnAFOkNwLt\u201d— Lambda Legal (@Lambda Legal) 1507305840
\u201c(1/2) Our govt should NOT be in the discrimination business. POTUS granting a #LicensetoDiscriminate is \u2013 one word for it -- #Appalling.\u201d— Sen. Patrick Leahy (@Sen. Patrick Leahy) 1507310816
\u201c(2/2) Another word: #Shameful. A Pres. who called for discr. v. Muslims now cites \u201creligious liberty\u201d to discr. v. LGBTQ & other minorities\u201d— Sen. Patrick Leahy (@Sen. Patrick Leahy) 1507314611
\u201cWhy would we not want to protect transgender people? They are human beings, beloved children of God, who are often misunderstood, bullied and excluded. The reversal of a policy making workplaces more welcoming places for them is cruel and unchristian. https://t.co/nTMNKZaq1B\u201d— James Martin, SJ (@James Martin, SJ) 1507233463
\u201c"The Civil Rights Act of 1964 bars workplace discrimination between men and women but does not extend to gender identity." -Jeff Sessions.\u201d— Shomari Stone (@Shomari Stone) 1507257102
\u201cDay after day, week after week, rights and projections are being taken away from women and marginalized communities. https://t.co/citP6ODUQJ\u201d— Amy Siskind \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@Amy Siskind \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1507312014
