That statement is particularly ironic, considering the ADF supports government hostility towards same-sex couples, transgender people, and other members of the LGBTQ community. According to SPL Center, the hate group “supported the recriminalization of sexual acts between consenting LGBTQ adults in the U.S. and criminalization abroad,” “defended state-sanctioned sterilization of trans people abroad,” and “claimed that a ‘homosexual agenda’ will destroy Christianity and society.”
First openly-gay Virginia Senator sponsored the Virginia Values Act
Democratic Sen. Adam P. Ebbin, the state’s first openly-gay legislator, sponsored the Virginia Values Act. Ebbin said that the same law also bans discrimination based on religion, race, religion, veteran status and disability. He said,
“People have a right to be free from discrimination. We’re moving into a Virginia that can accept that. And there are a few people who want to hold onto the past, unfortunately.”
The second suit filed in Loudoun County on Monday by the Christian ministries- including a pregnancy center and a school- claims that the Virginia Values act forces them to hire people who don’t share their religious beliefs.
Ebbin pointed out that their lawsuit fails to take into account the exemptions for religious employers, as the U.S. Supreme Court already ruled in favor of allowing religious organizations to discriminate based on their religious beliefs when it comes to ministers and other leaders.
Likewise, if a church opens its facilities up for rent to members outside their religion, they can’t refuse a same-sex marriage. However, they can legally state that their facilities are only available to members of their church. To simplify it a bit, Ebbin said,
“If they wish to limit their membership and activities to people of their faith tradition, they can. And I think that’s an appropriate place to draw the line.”
