Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, said in a press release that the “patently anti-Christian” legislation would allow “gay rights to trump religious rights.”
He said that although the act claims to be about “ending discrimination,” noting that it may indeed be the intention, the repercussions would effectively secularize religious entities and force adherents to violate religious codes of conduct.
He gave examples — Healthcare providers would be forced to provide hormone therapies and surgical procedures that are required to change the physical characteristics associated with sex changes.
Boys and men would be allowed to compete in sports with girls and women, thus unfairly altering women’s athletics.
Females would also lose their privacy rights. Biological males would be allowed to use the locker rooms, restrooms, and shower facilities that have always been reserved for females.
He added that religious groups would be prohibited from objecting.
The Equality Act is being debated in Congress. If passed, would amend the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, federal funding, credit, and the jury system.