Action Alert – Governor Shapiro Tells Senate to Pass Dangerous Bill

AFA of PA ACTION ALERT

February 16, 2024

Issue

Governor Shapiro Tells Senate to Pass Dangerous Bill

Details

Last May HB 300, called the Fairness Act, passed in the State House by a vote of 102-98.   It passed with the help of two Luzerne County GOP State Reps  — Aaron Kaufer and Alec Ryncavage.  One Democrat, Cambria County Frank Burns, voted against the bill.   It is now in the State Senate State Government Committee. 

Just what does this so-called Fairness Act do?  It adds sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to the PA Human Relations Act which covers employment, housing and public accommodations.  That means men who believe they are women would be allowed to use women’s facilities, every employer including daycares and churches would be required to hire “qualified” homosexuals and transgenders, if they applied for a job. 

However, some will say there is a “Protection of Religious Exercise” section in the bill.   General Counsel for the national office of the American Family Office, Abraham Hamilton III, says the legislation, on paper, recognizes the Free Exercise clause in the U.S. Constitution. While in reality,  the lawmakers are “trying to cover themselves” in that portion in the bill.  Abe goes on to say, “It is lip service, period,”

Here are some examples of what has happened in other states with such laws:

• Florists such as Barronelle Stutzman in Washington State, who refused to provide flowers for a same-sex “wedding” were charged with discrimination and the state’s attorney general went after all her assets.
• Bakers such as Jack Phillips (Colorado) and Melissa and Aaron Kline (Oregon)  have been charged with discrimination and fined.  In fact, the Klines lost their business and have since moved to Montana and reopened their business.  Since the US Supreme Court’s decision in favor of Jack Phillips, he has been sued by a transgender for not baking a cake to his specifications. 
• In 2014 Bloomsburg, PA bridal shop W.W. Bridal Boutique turned away a lesbian couple.  As a result, their shop was picketed, the activists went to social media and trashed the bridal shop with negative reviews, eventually forcing the shop to close.  And that’s all without a law such as HB 300 in place.  If HB 300 was on the books at that time, the owners of the bridal shop would have faced discrimination charges and fines. 

Action Steps

Earlier this month, Governor Shapiro urged the State Senate to pass this dangerous bill.   Contact your State Senator by clicking here and ask him or her not to support HB 300.