Under the guise of “prohibiting discrimination” against people on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, The Phoenix City Council is considering an ordinance riddled with devastating legal and ethical consequences.
The Bathroom Bill presents a thinly veiled attack on Phoenix businesses. Fundamentally, the ordinance is a poorly crafted measure that promotes a “sue first and ask questions later” environment inevitably subjecting untold numbers of businesses to frivolous lawsuits, regardless of their stance on homosexuality. In other cities across the country with similar laws, the Bathroom Bill has forced businesses to allow a man dressed as a woman into their women’s restroom.
The exemption for churches within the Bathroom Bill is weak at best and would not protect churches from being forced to hire a homosexual or transgender individual in non-pastoral roles. Also, the ordinance indirectly attempts to muzzle the pulpit, allowing transgender individuals to sue should they vaguely sense “a direct or indirect” implication that they might be “unwelcome.”
Look no further than Olympia, Washington to discover the consequences of laws like the Bathroom Bill. Late last year, when one Washington family complained that a 45-year-old male college student was permitted to enter a girls’ locker room and expose himself in front of their 17-year-old daughter, authorities informed them the man was allowed to be there because he claimed to be transgender.
“The locker room at Evergreen College in Olympia, Wash., is shared with the Capital High School swim club and a children’s swim academy, along with the students at Evergreen,” according to ABC News. Other parents noted that even 6-year-old children use the locker room on occasion and yet, compliance with state law similar to the Bathroom Bill prevents the college from addressing the situation.
Despite his commitment to transparency, Mayor Greg Stanton is rushing the Bathroom Bill through the process, and the vote is one week from today! Contact these members of the Phoenix City Council and tell them to vote no on the Bathroom Bill:
Thelda Williams: council.district.1@phoenix.gov, 602-262-7444
Vice Mayor Bill Gates: council.district.3@phoenix.gov, 602-262-7441
Daniel Valenzuela: council.district.5@phoenix.gov, 602-262-7446
Michael Nowakowski: council.district.7@phoenix.gov, 602-262-7492
Michael Johnson: council.district.8@phoenix.gov, 602-262-7493