Dark Ages not the answer to transgender, cultural angst

HB 1107 eliminates the government’s ability to protect members of the public from discriminatory actions of employers and/or service providers. For example, the legislation would allow a business owner to fire an employee for simply being gay or engaging in premarital sex.

“HB 1107 dramatically increases the power of a corporation or government agency to enforce their ethics on your life,” South Dakota Democratic Party Communications Director Michael Ewald said.

HB 1112 establishes a biological determinant for gender identification and overturns any South Dakota High School Activity Association policy governing transgender participation. It’s just the latest attack on transgender rights. Earlier this session, House Republicans passed HB 1008 preventing transgender students from using bathrooms and facilities consistent with their gender identity.

“It’s clear. This isn’t about small or limited government. It’s about reactionary out-of-state interest groups trying to drag South Dakota into the Dark Ages. Empathy and compassion are South Dakota values, not intolerance and hate,” Ewald concluded.

Proponents from Arizona based ‘Alliance Defending Freedom’ testified in favor of both bills. The Argus Leader reported the group’s “fellowship literature cryptically refers to the group’s desire to “recover the robust Christendomic theology of the 3rd, 4th and 5th century.”