We can all acknowledge that the Left does not hide its agenda or its strategy. It is very clear, if you are watching. The most recent attack from the Left requires that every man, woman, and child, no matter their station in life, agree with their radical sexual agenda.
As we’ve noted in previous messages, this most recent attack is coming to our city councils and to our state capitol in the form of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) nondiscrimination ordinances and laws. Over the next several weeks, I will break down the impact these laws can and do have on your profession, your child’s school, your speech, your church, and many other facets of your daily life.
The first area I will be addressing is the business arena. These laws don’t just affect business owners, though. They affect each and every one of us. These concerns are having impacts on real people’s lives people’s lives even as you read this.
There are three different ways that SOGIs impact the business arena:
SOGIs come between business owners and their customers
SOGIs are being used as a sword against business who believe in Biblical sexuality. Business owners across the country are being targeted for living out their faith in the way they conduct their business.
Here are just a few examples:
Blaine Adamson, a graphic designer in Kentucky, was sued when he declined to make t-shirts for a gay pride parade despite serving many customers who were gay and having gay employees. He was sued under a local city ordinance. Even local lesbian business owners agreed with Blaine, stating that they would not want to be forced to make items for things with which they disagreed, and arguing that he shouldn’t be required to either.
Jack Phillips, a cakebaker in Colorado was sued for not making a wedding cake for a long-time customer’s same-sex wedding. He won his case at the Supreme Court when the Court held that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had shown clear hostility to Jack. Jack was sued again for living out his faith, this time for refusing to make a gender reveal cake for a lawyer who identifies as a transgender activist. The Commission eventually dismissed the case when Jack counter-sued because they were repeatedly targeting him. Now the same attorney is suing him again personally for discrimination.- Barronelle Stutzman, a florist in Washington, nearly lost her business when the state came after her for politely declining to create floral arrangements for a long-time customer’s gay wedding, an event which violated her beliefs about marriage. She gladly referred him to other florists. The Washington Supreme Court has ruled against her twice, and she is once again forced to defend her rights before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Blaine Adamson, a graphic designer in Kentucky, was sued when he declined to make t-shirts for a gay pride parade despite serving many customers who were gay and having gay employees. He was sued under a local city ordinance. Even local lesbian business owners agreed with Blaine, stating that they would not want to be forced to make items for things with which they disagreed, and arguing that he shouldn’t be required to either.
Jack Phillips, a cakebaker in Colorado was sued for not making a wedding cake for a long-time customer’s same-sex wedding. He won his case at the Supreme Court when the Court held that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had shown clear hostility to Jack. Jack was sued again for living out his faith, this time for refusing to make a gender reveal cake for a lawyer who identifies as a transgender activist. The Commission eventually dismissed the case when Jack counter-sued because they were repeatedly targeting him. Now the same attorney is suing him again personally for discrimination.
Barronelle Stutzman, a florist in Washington, nearly lost her business when the state came after her for politely declining to create floral arrangements for a long-time customer’s gay wedding, an event which violated her beliefs about marriage. She gladly referred him to other florists. The Washington Supreme Court has ruled against her twice, and she is once again forced to defend her rights before the U.S. Supreme Court.Each one of these business owners had no problem serving the individuals involved – they simply could not participate in the particular event or the specific service requested. These owners happily referred them to other businesses. Yet, the Left could not let them be. And in many of these instances these individuals are being sued daily until they recant.
SOGIs force contractors out of the public square
Many states and cities have gone so far as to pass laws that don’t allow government contracts with businesses they believe are associated with or promote a biblical view of sexuality. The prime example of this is when San Antonio tried to ban Chick-fil-A from its airport.
This is not just happening in other states – it’s happening in Kansas too. We saw a similar effort in Kansas at KU over the summer as some tried to force KU to ban Chick-fil-A from the campus. Governor Kelly made sure to include this sort of language in the first executive order she signed – requiring that all government contractors agree with her ideology.
These sorts of provisions are in many of the city ordinances that are being passed as well. These provisions violate the religious freedom of contractors by saying just because the business owner, or someone associated with the business, holds a certain worldview – they are excluded from the public square.
SOGIs requires YOU – the consumer – to share intimate spaces with members of the opposite sex
One way that SOGIs effect every person that enters a business, or a government building, is that SOGI’s require that bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers be open to
anyone regardless . These laws generally require that places of public accommodations (most businesses) with more than a certain number of employees (normally 10 or more though it varies) must open up their restrooms, locker rooms, and other dressing rooms to everyone. This means that men who claim to be women can legally enter any dressing room alongside women or children.
These are just a few of the many examples of how the Left is seeking to force businesses to comply with and carry out their sexual agenda. As we’ve discussed before several City Councils in Johnson County have been quietly passing SOGI ordinance in recent months.
But it’s not just Johnson County that is being targeted. Legislators across the state are already being pushed to cave in their protections of religious freedom, women, girls, and everyone who engages in the public square. It is vital that we continue to let legislators know that it is important that they protect our God given freedoms. If you would like to contact your legislator, you can find their contact information here (just enter your zip code and/or address to see their contact information).
For the freedom of all Kansans,
Brittany Jones, Esq.
Director of Advocacy