Press Release: Southern Baptist Leaders Rally Against Controversial Bill on Gender Identity
Colorado — A coalition of faith leaders from the Southern Baptist Convention is urging pastors and church members to oppose House Bill 1312, which penalizes "deadnaming" and "misgendering" in custody cases. The bill, recently passed by the House with a 36-20 vote, aims to include claims of these actions when determining parenting time in custody disputes, and is scheduled for a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday.
The terms "misgendering" and "deadnaming" refer to not using an individual’s preferred pronouns and using someone’s birth name instead of their preferred name, respectively. Proponents, led by Rep. Rebekah Stewart (D-Lakewood), argue that the bill enhances protections for transgender individuals and prevents parental rights from being undermined when supporting a child’s gender identity.
In response, the Center for Baptist Leadership has called on the convention’s 300-plus churches to join a rally organized by Fight 1312 at the Capitol before the Senate meeting. "Baptists have a long history of defending religious liberty," the Center stated on social media, urging members to stand together as these issues become increasingly critical.
Opponents warn that the bill could threaten parental rights, children’s rights, and First Amendment freedoms. Fight 1312, a group formed by Colorado pastors and faith leaders, positions itself as defenders of "God-given liberties" against what it deems assaults on traditional values.
Additionally, there is a second bill set for hearing that seeks to secure transgender individuals’ access to "gender-affirming care," including hormone therapy and surgeries. Critics of such care for minors argue that the U.S. is diverging from approaches taken by several European countries, which now favor psychological evaluations over medical interventions for young people.
The debate continues to spark significant tension between advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and traditional religious beliefs in Colorado.
Source
Photo credit denvergazette.com
