A Letter to Christians About LGBT Protections and Religious Freedom

Dear faithful brothers and sisters:

Some of you do not understand how your country can extend employment protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. I have been in ministry with LGBT people for decades, so permit me to share with you what happened Monday (July 21).

President Obama signed two executive orders. The first added “sexual orientation and gender identity” to an executive order first issued by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965 that bans employment discrimination by any recipient of federal funds. The second adds LGBT protections to an executive order by President George W. Bush. The order still says religious groups can discriminate, even if they receive federal funds: “Religious organizations which receive federal funds may discriminate on religious grounds in their employment practices as allowed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”

Many people — religious or not — are surprised when they hear that anyone who is LGBT, or perceived to be, can be fired or not hired. There are faith leaders and politicians who will tell you these protections are unnecessary, but LGBT people with whom I minister in the pews of Metropolitan Community Churches throughout the U.S. tell me stories of losing jobs or job opportunities, simply because of their sexual orientation.

Until today, millions held jobs and lived in areas where there were no barriers to discriminating against people if they were perceived to be LGBT.