Focus on the Family is at it again!

I first heard about this bill and Focus on the Family's fight against it from a podcast I get called "transponder". They played a clip from a radio ad that was absolutely disgusting. They make it sound like if this bill is passed, it will open the floodgates to sexual predators entering a women's restroom to assault someone! Or, that sexual predators will enter the girls' restrooms in schools!! It's just sad that they continue to make sex their priority. There's so much more in the world to be concerned about...like the economy! Smile.

Sharone


Focus on the Family lobbies against anti-bias bill
By Electa Draper The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 05/22/2008 05:41:18 PM MDT

A gay and lesbian Democratic group and conservative Christian lobbyists are battling over a bill expanding protections against discrimination in public life based on religion and sexual orientation.

Senate Bill 200 would ban discrimination based on a person's religious beliefs or sexual orientation — including transgendered people — in places of public accommodation, housing practices, family planning services and 20 other public spheres.

Gov. Bill Ritter has until June 5 to sign or veto the bill. Without gubernatorial action, the bill automatically becomes law.

Ritter has not yet indicated whether he will sign the bill, spokesman Evan Dreyer said Thursday.

Focus on the Family Action and Colorado Family Action say the bill would have serious consequences, such as opening Colorado public restrooms and locker rooms to all genders and transgendered people, exposing children and women to sexual predators.

The conservative lobbyists launched a radio ad campaign Wednesday urging Ritter to veto the bill.

"The disingenuous media attack campaign utilizes bigoted, unfounded and hate-inspiring scare tactics," the El Paso County Stonewall Democrats said in a statement.

"They spin the whole intent of the bill in a negative light just to cloak their claims for a bogus right to discriminate against gays, lesbians and transgender individuals," the statement said.

National Stonewall Democrats is a grassroots network connecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Democratic activists, according to the Colorado chapter's website.

Focus on the Family spokesman Tom Minnery said the anti-discrimination bill is so broadly drawn that it violates common sense and invades privacy.

Jim Pfaff, president of Colorado Family Action, said the measure could have numerous repercussions. For example, a wedding photographer would have to shoot the commitment ceremony of a gay couple, regardless of the photographer's religious beliefs about homosexuality.

"These are just scare tactics," said bill sponsor Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver. "These kinds of problems just don't materialize because of this kind of legislation."

The bill passed both houses May 2. Veiga said she expects Ritter to sign it.

"Our understanding is that the bill simply updates and brings consistency to existing anti-discrimination laws," Dreyer said.

"Focus on the Family is waging a political campaign based on misconstruing the facts and creating fear," Dreyer said.