Explainer: What you should know about LGBTQ Pride Month
President Joe Biden recently issued an official proclamation declaring June 2021 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month. “I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community,” said Biden, “to celebrate the great diversity of the American people, and to wave their flags of pride high.”
The sexual identities “Pride Month” intends to celebrate run contrary to the pattern of God’s design for human sexuality as expressed in Scripture and revealed through nature.
This Week in Washington, D.C.
Last Friday, President Biden released his FY 2022 budget proposal. His budget notably removes the Hyde Amendment.
This is the first time since 1976 that the Hyde Amendment has not been included in a president’s budget proposal. The Hyde Amendment, first introduced by Rep. Henry Hyde 1976 prevents American taxpayer dollars from paying for abortions. It is a budget rider on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) appropriations bill, and not a permanent federal statute. The Hyde Amendment must therefore be attached to appropriations bills each year to be effective.
The Hyde Amendment is just one of many pro-life riders that deserve to be included in all appropriations bills. Congress should also protect the Weldon (discrimination protections for those with objections to abortion), Dornan (Hyde protections in the District of Columbia), Helms (protection against funds being used for abortion in international aid), Siljander (protection against funds being used to lobby for abortion internationally), and Kamp-Kasten (protection against funds to organizations that support coercive abortion or sterilization) Amendments.
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees will begin the appropriations process which includes a hearing to discuss budget requests and writing and marking up the 12 appropriations bills that fund the federal government. Congress will therefore have the opportunity to include the Hyde Amendment and other important pro-life riders.
From The Public Square
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs transgender athlete bill into law
CBS News
On Tuesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, a bill that bans transgender girls and women from competing on female sports teams at the high school and college level.
Hundreds gather at historic Tulsa church's prayer wall
Associated Press
Hundreds gathered Monday for an interfaith service dedicating a prayer wall outside historic Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church in Tulsa’s Greenwood neighborhood on the centennial of the first day of one of the deadliest racist massacres in the nation.
Why I Didn't “Just Bake the Cake”
Jack Phillips, First Things
The following is excerpted and adapted from "The Cost of My Faith: How a Decision in My Cake Shop Took Me to the Supreme Court," released this week. Jack is the owner and artist of Masterpiece Cakeshop who was sued for acting on his convictions—and for not baking a cake for a same-sex couple.
New attention on abortion pill dispensing amid challenge to Roe v. Wade
Politico
The Supreme Court’s decision to take a Mississippi case that poses a direct challenge to Roe. v. Wade has raised the stakes for the Biden administration’s newly launched review of restrictions on abortion pills, which could dramatically expand access to the procedure.
What You Need to Read
Jordan Wootten with Explainer: Supreme Court takes up Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
In mid-May, the Supreme Court agreed to revisit a previous decision “by reviewing a Mississippi law that would replace the ‘viability standard’ with a limit on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.” Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is a case that “could have significant implications for some of the central pillars of legal abortion in the United States,” according to Leah Hickman of WORLD Magazine. Though the landmark Roe v. Wade remains in place, this case should energize pro-life advocates to remain steadfast in their work.
Jason Thacker with Should the government regulate social media? Florida’s new social media bill and the crisis of online governance
On Monday, May 24, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a new bill into law regulating content moderation and online governance in the state on social media platforms. This bill is the first state bill to become law on these issues, with other states including Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Utah currently considering similar legislation.
Catherine Parks with Explainer: Lebanon, Ohio, Becomes Sanctuary City for the Unborn
On May 25, the city council of Lebanon, Ohio, voted to ban abortion in its city limits. By a vote of 6 to 0, the council approved a measure that immediately outlawed abortion and declared the abortion pill to be contraband. One member of the council resigned from her position in protest before the meeting. The city of Lebanon, located north of Cincinnati, has 20,000 residents.
This Week at the ERLC
- The ERLC is continuing our advocacy work opposing the Equality Act, which we believe is the greatest threat to religious liberty ever considered by the U.S. Congress. For more articles, podcast episodes, and our policy brief on the bill, visit our resource page.
- Elizabeth Graham talked to Baptist Press about President Biden's decision to exclude the Hyde Amendment from his federal budget proposal.
Featured Podcasts
This week on the ERLC Podcast, Josh, Lindsay, and Brent discuss the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, a Christian response to Pride Month, a major leadership change in Israel, and recent news involving the ERLC.
On this episode of the WeeklyTech podcast, Jason Thacker is joined by Ben Mandrell, President & CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources, to talk about the changes to ministry and publishing in this digital age.
