The House passed the hotly debated 鈥淧astor Protection鈥� Act today. Democratic lawmakers argued that the bill would create a way for businesses to discriminate against LGBTQ people. The bill now goes on to the Senate.
Republican Nino Vitale has pushed for the 鈥淧astor Protection鈥� Act, , since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage.
His bill would allow clergy to refuse to solemnize marriages based on religious beliefs.
鈥淭hey see a very clear and real reason for the protection that this bill provides,鈥� Vitale says.
But Democrat Janine Boyd stood against a provision which she says allows other undefined groups to refuse public accommodations.
鈥淧roprietors of property and services that rent to the public at-large can turn away members of the LGBTQ community,鈥� Boyd says.
Opponents also argue that religious leaders are already protected under the Constitution.
