Two bills promoting sexuality and attacking religious freedom have passed a key hurdle in the state Senate. AB 257 and AB 310 — the top bills in this year’s gay legislative agenda — were approved Julu 15 in the Senate Judiciary Committee on straight party-line votes, with Democrats voting “yes” and Republicans voting “no.” The bills now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“These bills are the worst we’ve ever seen,” said Randy Thomasson, assistant director of Capitol Resource Institute. “It is absolutely outrageous to see who the homosexual lobby and the ACLU have in their pockets. This is a civil war of values, and each one of us needs to join the battle. People need to get involved in brand new ways to ensure family-friendly values are represented at the State Capitol.”
AB 257 (Villaraigosa) would give homosexuals a bureaucratic hammer to use against average citizens. This bill declares homosexuality to be a “civil right” on the same level ass race and nationality. AB 257 also inserts “sexual orientation” into the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which the government code describes “the police power of the state.” FEHA has the power to subpoena witnesses and documents, investigate complaints, conduct hearings, levy fines up to $50,000, and permit unlimited civil court damages. AB 257 would also result in children being taught all about homosexual “civil rights.”
AB 310 (Kuehl) is an attack on the church. By changing the definition of “employer,” AB 310 allows FEHA to come against churches, religious schools, missions and all other religious corporations that “discriminate.” AB 310 permits FEHA investigators to audit rental records of property owners and personnel records of employers, including churches, to see if they have ever “discriminated.” These audits would be done without need for a search warrant, just cause, or even a complaint file.
If AB 257, AB 310 and AB 1059 (regarding domestic partners insurance) pass the Senate Appropriations Committee, the vote on the Senate floor may be extremely close. There are 23 Democrats, 16 Republicans and one independent. Last year, on the issue of homosexual “marriage,” three Democrats and one independent joined all the Republicans to produce a 20-20 tie, only to have Lt. Gov. Gray Davis provide the deciding vote in favor of the homosexual agenda.
Organizations and individuals can oppose AB 257 and AB 310 by writing separate letters to Senate Appropriations Committee, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814. For more information on the gay legislative agenda, send $5 to CRI, 1414 K St., Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95814 and request “Response to Gay Rights Agenda.”
