Queerty has been dinging the dingbats with our esteemed Douche of the Week award for some time. So we thought it was only fair to honor those who do right by the LGBT community.
Introducing the Queerty Badass of the Week.
On Friday, Governor Steve Beshear of Kentucky vetoed a bill that would have allowed individuals to ignore any state law that ran counter to their core religious beliefs.
Beshear said House Bill 279 was well-intended but its vague language could have serious unintended consequences.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“I value and cherish our rights to religious freedom and I appreciate the good intentions of House Bill 279 and the members of the General Assembly who supported this bill to protect our constitutional rights to practice our religion.
However, I have significant concerns that this bill will cause serious unintentional consequences that could threaten public safety, health care, and individuals’ civil rights. As written, the bill will undoubtedly lead to costly litigation. I have heard from many organizations and government entities that share those same concerns. Therefore, after giving this measure thoughtful analysis and consideration, today I vetoed the bill.
The measure had clear implications for the LGBT community, who would have faced discrimination under the mask of religious tolerance.
Numerous professional, civil-rights and even religious groups supported Beshear’s veto, including the Kentucky Equality Federation, Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, Kentucky Education Association, the ACLU of Kentucky, Faith Leaders for Fairness, Gay and Lesbian Services Organization (GLSO) and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Louisville.
All together now: Good on you!
Photo: Gage Skidmore
2eo
Every tear down of a religious privilege is a victory for humanity. The day is coming.
DarkZephyr
Thank GOD. This would have set a terrible president.
Cam
This law would never have survived in the courts. People could say that their religion allowed them to kill their children or beat their spouses etc…
the other Greg
Would have been interesting if the law had passed and then a lot of pot-smoking Rastafarians and peyote-imbibing native tribes had flocked to Kentucky looking for religious freedom.
After which, Sen. Rand Paul would explain libertarianism to the rednecks!
Also, it’s funny that Kentucky’s abbreviation is KY.
Scribe38
@the other Greg: because a of little Kentucky goes a long way 🙂
Just like KY
MuscleModelBlog.com
Great! I wonder if the state legislature will try to override the veto…it did get all the way to the Governor’s desk, after all…
tjr101
Had this shown up on the desk of a republican governor, this terrible legislation would’ve become law.