At a press conference today in Washington, D.C., former homosexuals and African-American leaders united to oppose hate-crimes legislation being considered by Congress.
The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 -- H.R. 1592 in the House and S. 1002 in the Senate -- would grant extraordinary protections to homosexuals, setting them apart as a special class of citizen, and contradict the constitutional mandate of equal protection under the law.
Under the measure, the federal government could prosecute hate crimes based on a person's "sexual orientation, gender identity, gender and disability."
Alan Chambers, a former homosexual and president of Exodus International, said the law would pave the way to criminalize thoughts and religious beliefs.
"We stand today with many in the African-American community who also recognize that one's sexuality can be changed, but one's skin color cannot," he said. "This legislation says that we, as former homosexuals, are of less value and worth less legal protection now than when we were living as homosexuals.
“We categorically reject this mindset and reaffirm every American's value and right to equal protection under the law."
Bishop Harry Jackson, founder and chairman of the High Impact Leadership Coalition, Pastor Marvin Winans, Bishop Larry Brandon and Bishop Liston Paige joined Chambers to speak out against homosexuality being equated with civil rights.
"We call upon Congress to promote legislation that affirms authentic equality and protects our religious freedoms," Chambers said.
The House Judiciary Committee is expected to vote this week.
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(Paid for by Focus on the Family Action)
