A listed anti-LGBT hate group has been linked to the Trump administration’s new religious freedom task force, which activists fear will be used to undermine equal rights protections.
Trump’s Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the formation of a “religious freedom task force” at a Religious Liberty Summit hosted by the Justice Department on Monday.
In his speech Sessions affirmed his belief that individuals and business owners should be free to discriminate based on religious beliefs, and announced he is setting up a task force “which will help the department fully implement our religious liberty guidance.”
Media Matters reports that it appears the the Justice Department collaborated with the ADF on the launch, with the ADF breaking the news of the task force’s creation in its press release.
A panel at the event was led by media affairs specialist Kerri Kupec, who worked at ADF for four years before joining DOJ in January this year.
Extremism watchdog the Southern Poverty Law Center ascribes the hate group label to the ADF, noting that the group has actively supported the criminalisation of homosexuality in Belize. ADF leaders have previously linked homosexuality and paedophilia.
The group primarily works to undermine LGBT anti-discrimination protections through a series of court battles, most notably representing baker Jack Phillips – and arguing that religious freedom gives him the right to discriminate against gay customers.
Under Sessions, the Justice Department has frequently weighed in on court battles on the side of the ADF, filing a brief to the Supreme Court supporting Phillips.
In its release, the ADF said: “Religious liberty is our most precious gift as humans and our most cherished and protected freedom as Americans.
“We highly commend President Trump and Attorney General Sessions for following through on the most vital promises of their public service: the preservation and protection of religious liberty.
“Too many of the clients ADF represents are risking their businesses, their life savings, and their safety to follow their conscience. All Americans should be free to peacefully live and act consistent with their convictions and faith without threat of government punishment.
“Freedom of speech and religion aren’t subject to political and cultural whims; they are constitutional guarantees, and we are grateful that this administration recognizes that reality and is taking serious steps to correct injustice and protect the freedom of religion.”
Sessions alluded to the ADF in his speech, saying: “Let us be frank. A dangerous movement, undetected by many, is now challenging and eroding our great tradition of religious freedom. There can be no doubt. This is no little matter. It must be confronted and defeated.
Read the full story at Pink News
