Back in April our article, 100 Days of Trump: Impact on LGBTQ Community, summarized the key moments from the first 100 days of the Trump presidency that will significantly impact the LGBTQ community. Being the kind of people who like to keep an eye on how Trump’s decisions can impact our LGBTQ brothers and sisters we’re taking a look at how the next 100 days may unfold.
“Religious Liberty” Executive Order
“We’re giving our churches their voices back”, said Trump as he signed the Executive Order for Religious Liberty earlier this month. As mentioned in our previous article, the order previously held provisions for federal contractors to discriminate against those from the LGBTQ community based on faith beliefs. However by May 4th these provisions had been removed
“Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty”
As it stands the order is designed to give greater freedom of speech to religious organizations across the U.S. Previously the IRS could threaten the tax relief enjoyed by religious groups if they spoke out on political issues. This power was given by the Johnson Amendment which states that religious organizations should not carry out political activities. Trump’s “Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty” order asks the IRS to use “maximum enforcement discretion” in enforcing the Johnson Amendment.
The Johnson Amendment
Dismantling the Johnson Amendment was one of Trump’s promises made in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election. While a full repeal of the Johnson Amendment would need congressional support this executive order can be seen as a step towards appeasing his base that voted him into office in the first place. He’ll need to keep them on his side if he hopes to win re-election.
Obamacare Contraception
As well as denting the Johnson Amendment, the executive order also allows “regulatory relief” to companies who object to Obamacare’s provisions for contraception in health care. This is another decision from Trump that may have a negative impact upon women and the wider LGBTQ community across the U.S.. Several civil liberty groups are keen to take the issue further and sue to get their views heard.
With Trump needing to keep the Christian right in his corner to hold any hope of winning re-election the next 100 days could have further repercussions in store for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals etc. across the U.S..
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