Conservative advocacy groups call on Arizona Republicans to oppose new LGBTQ bill

On February 7, Arizona State Representative Dr. Amish Shah and Speaker Rusty Bowers filed HB2802, better known as the "Equality and Fairness for All Arizonans Act." The bill bans conversion therapy by healthcare professionals for children under eighteen, and extends the state's current non-discrimination protections in employment and housing to LGBTQ people, while still taking into consideration concerns over religious liberty.

Conservative advocacy groups suggest, however, that the protections put in place to ensure religious liberties are not infringed upon are not strong enough, and have urged Republicans to oppose the bill.

On Wednesday, the leaders of three conservative advocacy groups, Citizens for Renewing America, American Principles Project, and the State Freedom Caucus Network, signed a joint letter to Speaker Bowers, calling on him and his Republican co-sponsors to withdraw their support for the new bill.

In the letter, obtained by the Daily Signal, the groups suggest the bill "would codify self-evident falsehoods about human nature in state law," adding that it is "based on a progressive sexual ideology that rejects the fundamental truth that humans beings are created as make and female with distinctions that run so deep that no physical, pharmacological, or surgical interventions can erase them."

They add that no Arizonan, religious or otherwise, should be coerced by law to "act in accordance with falsehoods about human nature," citing examples such as biological men in women's spaces and sports, and the ethics of allowing children to undergo gender transitions.

The groups go on to suggest that "the religious liberty protections offered in HB 2802 are wholly inadequate," and "based on the false notion that people only practice their faith in houses of worship or as part of religious organizations."

They warn that if the bill passes, "many religious Arizonans will find themselves victims of civil rights lawsuits for simply living out their faith in their communities."

Speaking at an event organized by progressive groups on Saturday, Rep. Shah suggested that "this bill is not about special treatment; it is about equal treatment."

"We are all different in our own ways," Speaker Bowers added, "but I hope that will we will not put stumbling blocks, but that we will open up opportunity for everybody to grow, that our hearts may have a shape to hold diversity and kindness and understanding."

The bill has garnered support from a variety of religious groups, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In a statement, the church said they are "pleased to be part of a coalition of faith, business, LGBTQ people and community leaders who have worked together in a spirit of trust and mutual respect to address issues that matter to all members of our community."

"This bipartisan bill," the church added, "preserves the religious rights of individuals and communities of faith while protecting the rights of members of the LGBTQ community, consistent with the principles of fairness for all."