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News Release
Republican push to support religious freedom
again met by Democrat resistance
ST. PAUL – Republicans in the Minnesota Legislature on Monday intensified their efforts to address an issue related to religious freedom. Democrats then put that project on indefinite hold.
The afternoon started with a press conference where dozens of religious leaders from around the state joined Republicans in calling for religious freedom to be restored in the Minnesota Human Rights Act, protecting religious organizations and faith-based schools against claims of gender identity discrimination.
Shortly thereafter, Democrats tabled a House Republican motion to bring forward legislation to make that happen. It was the third time this session Democrats had at least temporarily blocked a Republican attempt at restoring religious freedom language to the HRA, following committee votes in both the House and the Senate.
“We offered Democrats the opportunity to reassure faithful Minnesotans they support religious freedom, but they refused to do so today,” said Rep. Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, who authored language he said ensures religious organizations and faith-based schools can, among other things, hire teachers and ministers consistent with their mission and values. “This is an especially solemn time for many in the faith community. It is important to make it clear to all Minnesotans that both legislative parties believe religious liberty has a place in our state. I can’t imagine living in a state where faith communities of all types can’t pick their own teachers and ministers. Unfortunately, Democrats prevented us from resolving this issue today.”
Before last year, when gender identity was included (or subsumed) within the MHRA definition of sexual orientation, the still-existing religious exemption for sexual orientation covered gender identity claims as well. When a new, separate definition of gender identity was created last year, there was no corresponding religious exemption added. This issue caused alarm among Minnesota’s faith community and Niska worked with religious leaders to craft H.F. 3926 to resolve the bill.
House Republican Leader Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, said at least one faith-based school already is facing an employment complaint at the department of human rights because of the removal of the exemption.
“One of the cornerstones of our democracy is the principle of religious freedom, guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution,” Demuth said. “Yet, despite these protections, we have seen an alarming rise in cases where individuals and organizations of all traditions face persecution because of their religious beliefs. Adding this religious exemption back into the Human Rights Act is about upholding the fundamental right of every citizen to live according to their faith without fear of punishment or retribution.”
It remains unclear when – or if – the House will revisit Niska’s bill.
“This was the Democrats’ chance to prove that they aren’t trying to erase 150 years of religious liberty in Minnesota,” said Rep. Peggy Scott, R-Andover, the minority leader on the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee. “It’s a disgrace that the DFL shut down debate and refused to let the body consider Rep. Niska’s bill today.”
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