US bill to protect traditional marriage from gay-friendly federal government.
Recently in the United States, Senator Mike Lee and eleven original cosponsors introduced legislation to protect religious organizations from discrimination by the federal government for supporting traditional marriage. The Marriage and Religious Freedom Act bars the government from denying any person or group tax-exempt status for exercising their religious conscience rights.
“This bill protects the rights of individuals and organizations from religious discrimination by the federal government,” said Senator Lee. “Those who believe in the traditional definition of marriage deserve respect and tolerance. It is critical that we clarify the law to ensure that their fundamental civil liberties are not at risk.” It will guarantee that churches will not be pressurized into recognizing Gay marriages.
Australia High Court shoots down a pro-gay law, insists on legislation
On December 12, Australia’s High Court struck down gay marriage in the nation’s capital, ruling that the Parliament must decide on same-sex unions. In a unanimous judgment overturning the Australian Capital Territory’s new same-sex marriage law, the High Court ruled that only the Parliament and not state and territory authorities had the power to decide who could wed.
Russia’s anti-gay legislation helps protect minors
Russia’s highest court recently ruled that a controversial law banning “gay propaganda” was not in breach of the Constitution.
The Constitutional Court dismissed a complaint from leading gay rights campaigner Nikolai Alexeyev that St. Petersburg city council had acted unconstitutionally by passing legislation to ban the promotion of homosexuality among minors.
The law, which came into effect in March 2012, allows for fines of up to 5,000 rubles ($150) for individuals and up to 500,000 rubles ($15,000) for organizations. A similar federal law banning the promotion of “non-traditional sexual relationships” among minors took effect in June this year.
But, until sense prevails, will the world’s intellectually-sensitized proponents of “inclusion” get “appalled” by a “regressive” United States, Russia and Australia too? Chances are… they won’t! It’s just not as fashionable as bashing India.
Stay tuned for part five in the five-part series on why the Indian Supreme Court verdict is seen as “protecting children.”
Gajanan Khergamker is an independent editor and legal counsel with over three decades of experience. He heads DraftCraft – an India-based media-legal think tank. His areas of expertise include policy, inclusion, foreign affairs, law, and diversity. His firm’s website is www.draftcraft.in and he can be reached at gajanan@draftcraft.in. Read other articles by Gajanan.
