There have been recent clashes between religiously motivated activity and civil rights laws.This includes a June 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of a Christian web designer in Colorado who refused to create websites to celebrate same-sex weddings out of religious objections. In 2019, Texas Senate Bill-17 was passed prohibiting the state licensing agency from burdening a service provider’s free exercise of religious belief. 

One of the reasons behind the passing of this Texas bill was to prevent service providers from having to offer their services to the LGBTQ+ community. However, this doesn’t apply to police officers, doctors, or first responders.

The Texas bill has created a sense of insecurity among LGBTQ+ and other minority communities. Some believe the bill goes beyond the lack of social acceptance many LGBTQ+ people experience and opens a gateway to injustice and suffering for the community. 

There is already legislation to protect religious beliefs, like the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Many question the need for this particular bill that encourages discrimination.

Should Texas employees be protected if they refuse service to a member of the LGBTQ+ community?