Arkansas legislator wants religious objections law changed

[rug]

ANDREW DeMILLO | Associated Press
Friday, August 7, 2015

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — An opponent of Arkansas’ religious objections law said Friday he’s looking at proposing changing it to include protections for gays and lesbians, as well as making clear religious leaders aren’t required to perform same-sex weddings.

Speaking at a forum on the new law aimed at preventing the government from infringing on someone’s religious beliefs, Democratic Rep. Clarke Tucker said he was looking at proposing the changes when the Legislature convenes in 2017. Tucker said the proposal could have more support than expanding Arkansas’ civil rights law to include protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

“Maybe if we could put it in the statute to make it absolutely explicit that if you’re engaged in a religious ceremony, you have that protection but at the same time if you’re engaged in some civil practice like renting an apartment or selling a sandwich, then you can’t discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, then maybe that would have a better shot of getting through,” Tucker told reporters.

Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed the religious objections measure into law after legislators rewrote the measure at his request to address criticism that an initial version sent to his desk would open the door to widespread discrimination against LGBT people.

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2015/08/arkansas-legislator-wants-religious-objections-law-changed/

[edhopper]

1. So a new law

to say what the present standing law is.
Protect the clergy from something they already don't have to do.

[justhanginon]

2. Fundies are a little slow. They may have to present the new law in cartoon form.