***NEWS RELEASE***
For Immediate Release
May 19, 2017
CONTACT:
Beth Harrison, Hamilton Strategies, 610.584.1096, ext. 104, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com or Deborah Hamilton, 215.815.7716 or 610.584.1096, ext. 102.
Pennsylvania Pastors Network Encourages Citizens to Speak Out Against Ploy to Force Public to Allow Men in Female Restrooms
‘Proposed Guidance’ Would Violate Religious Liberties, As Well As Impact School Bathrooms, Employment, Housing and Public Accommodations When Men Self-Identify as Female
PHILADELPHIA—The Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.PApastors.net) is alerting state residents about a “proposed guidance” aimed to thwart LGBT discrimination, but that would also impact religious freedom and the public-at-large.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PAHRC) is a state agency responsible for enforcing laws prohibiting sex discrimination. Joel Bolstein, appointed by Gov. Tom Wolf, serves as interim chairmen of PAHRC and is presenting the guidance to advance the homosexual agenda in ways that also violate the religious liberty of Pennsylvania citizens.
The American Family Association (AFA) sent an Action Alert to its more than one million friends and supporters about the proposed guidance in the Keystone State. AFA reports that as a means to advance the LGBT agenda, Bolstein is using PAHRC to expand the definition of the term “sex” to include “sex stereotyping.” According to AFA, “The purpose of the ‘proposed guidance’ is to provide a defense for men who want to enter women’s restrooms or changing facilities of ‘any public accommodation, resort or amusement [parks]’ because they self-identify as female.”
The Pennsylvania Pastors Network is urging Pennsylvania residents to learn more about the proposed guidance and to speak out to lawmakers. Through AFA, Pennsylvanians can send a message to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Communications Director, Christina Reese, who is receiving public comments until May 26.
“If this change is approved,” AFA further reported, “it will force all schools (including non-church-sponsored religious schools) to open their bathrooms, showers and locker rooms to boys who self-identify as girls and vice versa.” It will also impact employment, housing and public accommodations, forcing Christian bakers, florists and others to participate in same-sex weddings. Additionally, the guidance will apply to every business, including health clubs, that is deemed a “public accommodation.”
The Pennsylvania Pastors Network, a state chapter of the American Pastors Network (APN, www.AmericanPastorsNetwork.net) is a group of biblically faithful clergy and church liaisons whose objective is to build a permanent infrastructure of like-minded clergy who affirm the authority of Scripture, take seriously Jesus’ command to be the “salt and light” to the culture, encourage informed Christian thinking about contemporary social issues, examine public policy issues without politicizing their pulpits and engage their congregations in taking part in the political process on a non-partisan basis.
PPN encourages pastors to bring together biblical and constitutional principles in their sermons and provides resources to pastors throughout the state. For more information on PPN, visit its web site at www.papastors.net, its Facebook page or call 610.901.3607.
The American Pastors Network is the largest, national network of pastors who believe in the authority of scripture; who boldly preach the whole counsel of God with a disciplined application of a biblical worldview to public policy; who are building a permanent infrastructure of biblically faithful pastors and lay leaders; and who are mobilizing congregations to participate in the political process on a non-partisan basis. For more information on APN, visit www.americanpastorsnetwork.net, its Facebook page or follow APN’s Twitter feed, @AmericanPastors.
Pennsylvania Pastors Network is a state chapter affiliate of the American Pastors Network, a Ministry Program Affiliate of Capstone Legacy Foundation (a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian Public Community Foundation registered nationwide).
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To interview a representative from the Pennsylvania Pastors Network, contact Beth Harrison at 610.584.1096, ext. 104, media@hamiltonstrategies.com, or Deborah Hamilton at 215.815.7716 or 610.584.1096, ext. 102.
