The success of the Lesbian Gay Bi-Sexual Transgender (LGBT) rampage continues.  Simply put, we live in an era that has ushered in the end of religious freedom in favor of "gay rights."  Any resistance to redefining the nation by a sexual perversion is considered an affront, resulting in the silencing of any Christian belief.

The current battles have moved from same-sex "marriage" to the letter T in LGBT - Transgenderism.  While homosexuals comprise only a small percentage of the population, transgenders are less than .01% of the population.  To be a member of the "oppressed transgender minority," one need only to self-identify.  What follows is the "right" to enter the bathroom of your choice.  Any disagreement is considered discriminatory and bigotry.

Note that: 

• Two states have passed have passed religious freedom legislation only to have the legislation vetoed by their governors (Georgia, South Dakota). 
• The Federal Government has forced one school district to comply with transgender demands (Illinois).  This is just the start. 
• One state passed "religious freedom" legislation, then amended the bill into a "gay rights" law (Indiana). 
• One state has maintained its "bathroom bill" (North Carolina) but is now being threatened by the federal government with the defunding of several programs. 
• One city overturned its "bathroom bill" (Houston). 
• Only one state has enacted and maintained its "freedom of religion" bill (Mississippi). 

The following are the highlights of the transgender agenda.

Bruce Jenner:  Win for the Transgender Community

April 2015  Bruce Jenner, a 65 year old male who has been married 3 times and who has fathered 6 children, declares himself a woman.  Jenner, who won the decathlon Gold Medal in the 1976 Olympics, appeared on the cover of Vogue Magazine under the title "Call Me Caitlyn."

Outcome:  Jenner was praised for his "transition" and received ESPN's Arthur Ash Award for Courage. 

Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act,

Complete Turn-Around: Now a "gay rights" law

July 2015  Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act was legislation passed by the state legislature to allow Christians the "free exercise of religion" and to protect citizens against being "substantially burdened as a defense in legal proceedings."

Outcome:  After a horrendous outcry from national and international businesses and athletic organizations, the legislation was amended, making it an anti-discrimination law favoring the LGBT community.  In other words, a complete turnaround occurred from the law's original intent.

Houston Equal Rights Ordinance

Rejected by Voters After Being Labeled the "Bathroom Bill"

November 3, 2015  Dallas TX overwhelmingly rejected the city's ordinance allowing men in women's bathrooms (Houston Equal Rights Ordinance).  Houston's City Council passed the legislation spearheaded by lesbian Mayor Annise Parker.  The locals forced the City to place it on the ballet but only after a Texas Supreme Court mandate.

Outcome:  Win for the Community.  However, Houston is now being threatened by such efforts as a call to rescind the NFL Super Bowl which is scheduled to be played there in 2017. 

Palatine Township High School

Forced by the Federal Government to Accommodate a 12 year old

Boy in the Girl's Shower

December 3, 2015  Palatine Township High School, a Chicago School District, had a Civil Rights Discrimination lawsuit filed against it demanding that a 12 year old transgender boy be allowed in the girl's locker rooms.

Outcome:  Win for the Transgender

The Obama Administration, misrepresenting Title IX federal funding designed to insure the inclusion of girls in sports, interpreted the law as addressing gender discrimination and forced the school district to acquiesce.  Non-compliance would have resulted in the withdrawal of millions of federal dollars that fund athletic programs.  The school board had proposed a number of different measures as compromise solutions.  All were refused.  The boy is allowed in the girls' locker room despite overwhelming objection from the community.  In a school district of 12,000 students, the Obama administration has forced the accommodation of one very disturbed 12 year old boy.

New Mexico Legislation is Introduced to Protect Religious Freedom

January 2016  Religious Freedom Legislation was introduced to "prevent discriminatory action by a person or a government agency in response to a person's free exercise of religion." 

Outcome:  The legislation was vehemently attacked by Santa Fe's homosexual mayor, Javier Gonzales, and the house minority leader, Brian Egolf.  It was not placed on the legislative agenda and was not debated.

South Dakota's Bill Vetoed by Governor

March 1, 2016  The Governor of South Dakota, Dennis Daugaard, vetoed a bathroom bill passed by the Senate that would have required biologically-defined sex to determine bathrooms usage.

Outcome:  The governor, wishing to avoid an economic backlash, caved to the transgender agenda.

North Carolina Passes a "Bathroom Bill"

Disallowing Charlotte's Ordinance to Allow Transgenders in Bathrooms

On March 23, 2016 North Carolina's Governor Pat McCrory signed into law a "Bathroom Bill" that negates Charlotte's February 20, 2016, bill that would have allowed transgenders into women's bathrooms.

Outcome:  An enormous economic backlash has occurred with a reported 120 companies opposing the measure including PayPal, which cancelled a $3.6 million call center employing 400 people in Charlotte.  Popular rock star Bruce Springsteen announced he'd canceled a concert in the state.

Georgia's Governor Vetoes Legislature's "Religious Freedom"

March 28, 2016  Under tremendous economic pressure, Georgia's Governor Nathan Deal vetoed the state's "Religious Freedom" legislation.  The law would have protected pastors and religious nonprofits that didn't want to participate in same-sex marriage, while including modest protections for individuals and businesses.

Outcome:  The State Legislators are considering calling a special session to override the governor's veto.

Mississippi Allows Churches, Businesses to Decline Services that

Violate Religious Beliefs

April 5, 2016 Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed into law legislation that allows churches, religious charities and privately held businesses to decline services to people if doing so would violate their religious beliefs on marriage and gender.

Outcome:  The state's Attorney General has refused to defend the law, an impeachable offense.  The backlash has just begun.  

In addition to New Mexico, states that have considered legislation have been Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

 The New Mexico Watchman

nmwatchman.com

Please pray that the American people and especially the Christians will boldly stand up for public righteousness and for the preservation of our religious freedom.