"The right of every man to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience shall never be infringed;"
- Article 1 Sec. 16 - MN State Constitution -
Current Issue:
MN Legislation is Violating Religious Liberty when it comes to the Transgender Movement and Faith-Based Institutions.
Call to Action!
1- Contact Key Legislators (scroll down for contact info)
2- Print off the Action Letter and Help Spread the word!
3- Ask 5 people to Contact those in Leadership Regarding this issue
4- Ask your Pastor and Elder Board for assistance in updating the Congregation as to the state of Relegious Liberty in MN.
Quick Reference (Keep scrolling for more recourses)
Context
Last year, The MN Human Rights Act (MN HRA) was amended in two major ways.
The state law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, education, credit, and business based on protected class, such as: race, religion, disability, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Last year, the phrase "sexual orientation does not include a physical or sexual attachment to children by an adult" was removed from the definition of "sexual orientation". In essence, it can now be argued that 'pedophilia' is a protected class in Minnesota.
Prior to legislation passed in 2023"Gender Identity" was included under the definition of "sexual orientation". Now the list of protected classes has been updated to separate them into 2 district categories and definitions. What this new legislation failed to do was to also update the "Religious Exemption" Clause. This leaves a gap where Transgender Ideology is concerned. There is no Religious Exception for Gender Identity.
Where are we at?
Last year, the MN Human Rights Act was amended in a major way. The phrase “gender identity” was added to the protected class list, while simultaneously failing to include or update the religious exemption clause. This means that our religious liberty in Minnesota is not protected when it comes to issues of gender identity. This means that litigation is on the horizon.
Resolving this oversight is simple; update the Religious Exemption Clause to mirror the updated list of protected classes.
Unfortunately, the current majority party in both the MN House and Senate are NOT interested in correcting this oversight. In fact, a number of Democrat House Members went so far as to claim this issue was not an oversight but intentional!
Legislation (2024)
SF4292/HF4021 is a technical bill dealing with the MN HRA. Republicans brought forward an amendment that would fix the Religious Liberty issue. This Amendment was rejected along party lines in both the House and Senate Committee Hearings.
There is still a change to add an amendment to this Bill as it makes it's way to the Floor Votes.
So Where do we go from here?
1- Contact Elected Officials (see below)
2 - Elect Legislators who support Religious Liberty and will pass legislation to update the religious exemption clause.
Learn More!
Video of House Hearing by Rep. Walter Hudson - https://youtu.be/1Ld0QZdjKoA?feature=shared
Video March 17th Update by Upper Midwest Law Center and True North Legal - Religious liberty is under attack in Minnesota | Minnesota Law Report (youtube.com)
Video Pre Senate Hearing by Rep. Harry Niska - https://fb.watch/q_LO505N6G/
News Article Post Senate Hearing Alpha News - Religious groups accuse state Democrats of 'tremendous act of hostility' - Alpha News
Video Recap of Senate Hearing - https://youtu.be/eYD36SUSwHc?feature=shared
Video Rep. Walter Hudson Recap - https://youtu.be/7AbnBndRzRg?feature=shared
Recap by Restore MN - Restore Minnesota Action Alert: MN Human Rights Act (activehosted.com)
Recap by Faith in Action Substack - Taking a Sledgehammer to the Pillar of Religious Freedom! (substack.com)
Recap from Child Protection League - RED ALERT: Religious Freedom in Minnesota - CPL Action
News Article - Republicans Call for Urgency to address this issue. Voted down via party lines Democrats refuse to take up bill that would restore long-standing religious liberties - Alpha News
Video - Law Weekly Update on Various Religious Liberty Issues affecting MN - Religious liberty is under attack in Minnesota | Minnesota Law Report (youtube.com)
Video - Rep. Walter Hudson and Pastor Steve Royalty Run through Wehre we are and how we got here - Save the Church in 2024 (youtube.com)
Recourses for Faith Based Organizations
Take Action!
Contact Elected Officials
Your State Legislators - "Who Represents Me?" (mn.gov)
Governor Tim Walz
Telephone: 651-201-3400
Senate Majority Leader Erin P. Murphy (64, DFL)
651-296-5931
Senate Minority Leader Mark T. Johnson (01, R)
651-296-5782
Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman
651-296-4280
rep.melissa.hortman@house.mn.gov
Majority Leader Jamie Long
651-296-5375
Minority Leader Lisa Demuth
651-296-4373
rep.lisa.demuth@house.mn.gov
Groups Working to Preserve Religious Liberty!
The Following Groups are working to keep a close eye on this issue and its developments. Stay Up to Date! Check out their websites and Join one or all of their mailing List!