Commonwealth Policy Center

The Fairness for All Act (FFA) was recently introduced by Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah). The bill would make sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) protected classes under the federal Civil Rights Act. The bill attempts to balance religious freedom with LGBT protections in employment, housing, education, and public accommodations. Essentially, the bill elevates LGBT rights above religious freedom protections for small business owners with more than 15 employees. It exempts religious nonprofits and churches. The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) endorses the bill, which has alarmed conservatives. Last year the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) endorsed FFA but strong reactions from their supporters caused them to back away. In 2016 several Christian leaders, including Franklin Graham, Southern Seminary President Al Mohler, Russell Moore, and several Catholic Bishops signed a letter calling the proposal a “serious threat.”