BIRMINGHAM — Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP) leaders say pastors and ministries in Birmingham should be concerned about the recent passage of the first-ever LGBTQ protections by a local municipality in the state of Alabama.
The Birmingham city council passed the nondiscrimination ordinance unanimously following a public hearing Sept. 26. The ordinance covers housing, public accommodations and employment.
Joe Godfrey, ALCAP’s executive director, says similar efforts are underway in Montgomery, Huntsville, Muscle Shoals/Florence and Mobile. He believes pressure also will be placed on smaller suburbs/towns to “follow Birmingham’s lead.”
“While no one in the church would endorse discrimination of any kind, the latitude created by language such as ‘real or perceived sexual orientation or gender’ allow for aggressive encroachment on personal rights of Christian businessmen and women and religious freedoms in the market place,” Godfrey wrote in an Oct. 4 news release. “In addition, portions of the ordinance have direct implications … on the churches of Birmingham.”
For instance, the exemptions for employment for churches would only be applied to pastoral staff, Godfrey said. Also, municipal contracts related to community services must abide by the new ordinance. For more information, go to birminghamcitycouncil.org and click on the “Nondiscimination Ordinances” release in the “Newsroom” tab. (Michael Smith)
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