JEFFERSON CITY – For the second time in a month a Missouri version of the controversial Equality Act that is before the U.S. Congress was introduced in the Missouri Senate. The measure, which threatens the First Amendment rights of Missourians, was introduced again by homosexual Sen. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City.
Like the proposed Equality Act at the federal level, the Missouri measure would prohibit discrimination against homosexuals in public accommodations. Opponents say there is no widespread discrimination and that the measure would threaten the First Amendment rights of Missourians.
Razer
If passed it could force children to share restrooms and locker rooms with persons of the opposite sex – even those that are transgendered. It also could force faith-based institutions like the Missouri Baptist Convention’s three universities, The Baptist Home and the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home (MBCH) to house and hire LGBTQ people. It could force the MBCH to place foster care children with homosexuals and require it to honor homosexual adoptions. It also would eliminate religious liberty protection for business owners who want to run their businesses according to their faith.
Here is how the Senate drama unfolded. Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, offered an amendment to a bill that had nothing to do with homosexuality. Razer then introduced his Equality Act amendment to Moon’s amendment. Eleven Republicans voted with 10 Democrats to approve Razer’s amendment. Moon, a conservative and member of High Street Baptist Church in Springfield, then withdrew his amendment, thus killing the vote on Razer’s. Had Moon not acted the measure would have passed and gone to the House of Representatives, where a similar measure failed earlier in the legislative session.
Five of the 11 Senate Republicans who voted for Razer’s amendment also supported an earlier effort by Razer to pass the measure. They included:
• Caleb Rowden of Columbia
• Lincoln Hough of Springfield
• Bill White of Joplin
• Dan Hegeman of Cosby
• Jason Bean of Poplar Bluff
Other Republican senators supporting Razer’s amendment were:
• Jeannie Riddle of Holts Summit
• Dave Schatz of Sullivan
• Mike Cierpiot of Lee’s Summit
• Carla Eslinger of Wasola
• Holly Rehder of Sikeston
• Elaine Gannon of De Soto.
This year’s legislative session ended May 14 before any other attempts to pass the controversial bill could be made.