A so-called “protected rights” bill is heading to the Kentucky House following a full hearing in Senate on Tuesday.
Supporters say the legislation would allow private businesses to draw the line on providing services to customers if the decision is based on religious beliefs.
Bill Sponsor Albert Robinson says the legislation is not aimed at keeping gays and lesbians out of businesses. He cites the example of services offered by bakeries.
“If they come in there and they want the lesbian symbols and so forth on it, and it bothered against their conscious, they have a right to say ‘I’ll sell you the cake, but I will not put that on it’,” said Robinson.
Some of the strongest opposition to the bill came from Lexington Senator Reggie Thomas. He called it a return to the “dark days of the past.”
“I would hope this senate would not endorse a bill that clearly promotes bigotry and hatred to a certain group of people,” noted Thomas. “I honestly thought we were past that as a matter of public policy.”
Robinson says the bill doesn’t permit businesses to close their doors to gays and lesbians.
The bill, which passed by a 22-16 vote, was amended to say it would not apply to the provision of standard goods or services in the ordinary course of business or at a place of public accommodation, resort, or amusement.
More than one senator commented that, since the issue is being litigated in federal court, lawmakers should wait to see how the court rules.
