(OK) Bills allowing businesses to segregate based on personal, religious beliefs do not pass Senate

[Heddi]

http://www.reddirtreport.com/red-dirt-politics/bills-allowing-businesses-segregate-based-personal-religious-beliefs-do-not-pass

OKLAHOMA CITY – Two Senate bills concerning business owners’ rights to refuse service left the Senate floor today. Both authors claim they are not discriminatory in any way.
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Included in a talking point memo from the Senator’s office, he talked about how an issue in Tulsa where Oklahomans for Equality has been publically asking the Tulsa Human Rights Commission to make changes to the city code that would add public accommodation protections. This change relating to public accommodations is where all business owners who sell goods or services would be bound to sell goods or services regardless of moral or religious objections.

“This is based on my concerns; that freedom of religion was being hindered,” he said.

Brecheen emphatically stated this is not the first instance of this legislation in our region of the United States.
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“This is a concept that derives from what I committed to when I ran for office, and that is; to uphold the constitution, the first amendment rights, the freedom of religion, and freedom of speech,” Brecheen said. “We have a cultural movement that is seeking to suppress those first amendment rights.”

Sen. Joseph Silk (R-Boken Bow) talked about SB 197 and stressed that the bill is only for business owners. He talked about how this is a business that offers customizable goods and is intended to protect them from lawsuits.

“All it does is makes sure that private business owners who have businesses that relate to customizable goods, that they can not be sued for refusing to participate or advocate or advertise for any specific marriage ceremony lifestyle or behavior.
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