Dr. Ruiz Leads Anti-Discrimination Letter to Governors of States Considering So-Called 'Religious Freedom' Legislation

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert) led 35 Members of Congress in a letter to Governors of 11 states considering legislation similar to the discriminatory law passed in Indiana that would allow businesses to openly discriminate against LGBT Americans.

"We are very concerned about the recent trend among some states to enact or consider expanded Religious Freedom Restoration Acts (RFRA) and other legislation that could allow businesses to discriminate against or deny service to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans," the Members wrote. "These discriminatory policies, under the false guise of religious freedom, have no place in a nation founded on the principal of equal treatment for all."

They went on to write, "…as Governors, you hold a unique position that provides you the opportunity to add a powerful voice to this important debate and ensure that your state ends up on the right side of history, rejecting discrimination on any and all levels. Encouraging equality and fair treatment is a win for all, and it's far past time to make this a reality for all Americans."

Signatories on the letter include, Rep. Raul Ruiz M.D. (CA-36), Rep. Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Rep. André Carson (IN-07), Rep. David N. Cicilline (RI-01), Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13), Rep. Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Rep. Theodore E. Deutch (FL-21), Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Rep. Elizabeth H. Esty (CT-05), Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Rep. Alan Grayson (FL-09), Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20), Rep. Brian Higgins (NY-26), Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01), Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-33), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Rep. Alan S. Lowenthal (CA-47), Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01), Rep. Jim McDermott (WA-07), Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04), Rep. Patrick Murphy (FL-18), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Rep. Scott H. Peters (CA-52), Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Rep. Jared Polis (CO-02), Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05), Rep. Brad Sherman (CA-30), Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41), Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (MD-08), Rep. Tammy Duckworth (IL-8), and Rep. Filemon Vela (TX-34).

The letter has been sent to the Governors in the following states: Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, & Texas.

Click here for a PDF of the original letter.

Full text of the letter is below:

Dear Governors:

We are very concerned about the recent trend among some states to enact or consider expanded Religious Freedom Restoration Acts (RFRA) and other legislation that could allow businesses to discriminate against or deny service to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. These discriminatory policies, under the false guise of religious freedom, have no place in a nation founded on the principal of equal treatment for all.

Fifty years ago, our nation said no more to discrimination—no more denying service to a customer based on religion, no more ‘separate but equal' facilities targeting African Americans, and no more turning a blind eye to discrimination in the workplace that denied generations of women and minorities full access to the American Dream.

Yet, proposals like those being considered in more than a dozen states threaten to eliminate some hard fought civil protections and would exacerbate discrimination based purely on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Furthermore, these efforts are bad for business, making a state less attractive to visitors and hampering its economic development by alienating businesses concerned about hiring and retaining quality employees.

These legislative efforts and their unintended consequences, no matter their intended purpose, underscore why it is critical that states reject these discriminatory bills and instead pass anti-discrimination laws that guarantee protections to LGBT Americans. States should be showing prospective businesses that customers--and employees--are welcome no matter who they are or who they love instead of turning away businesses and customers with discriminatory policies.

While Congress continues to debate legislation to protect LGBT Americans across the country, as Governors, you hold a unique position that provides you the opportunity to add a powerful voice to this important debate and ensure that your state ends up on the right side of history, rejecting discrimination on any and all levels. Encouraging equality and fair treatment is a win for all, and it's far past time to make this a reality for all Americans.

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