Churches shouldn't be able to discriminate against gays

On one of my other blogs, Salem Political Snark, I wrote a post this afternoon that already is getting a lot of online attention here in semi-sleepy Salem, Oregon -- the state capital that often is referred to (especially by me) as the centerpoint of places in Oregon that people really want to go to: the coast, the Cascade mountains, Portland, and Eugene.

Check out "Two reports of how Broadway Coffee House/Commons discriminates against LGBT people." Excerpts:

Someone contacted me about a year ago about how the Broadway Coffee House here in Salem refuses to allow gay people to be employees, because the business is controlled by the Salem Alliance Church.

As you can read below, the pastor of the church believes this gives them a religious license to discriminate, sort of like how Agent 007 had a license to kill, even though under normal circumstances this is illegal. 

According to the Oregon State Bar, it is legal for religiously affiliated businesses to engage in discrimination against LGBT people. But this doesn't make it right.

Here's what the person who contacted me, who wanted to remain anonymous, said. I recall that this message came through Facebook after I'd written a blog post about how Hobby Lobby mixes religion with its business practices. 

I saw your post about hobby lobby, so I think I feel comfortable sharing more ...the "business" I am referring to is Broadway Coffee house. Turns out it is not an actual business and all proceeds go to pay church staff and support the church ministries of Salem Alliance Church .

Seems like something the public should be aware of, especially since I was told gay people would not be able to work there

Yes. I met with the head pastor a year ago to confirm that it was true . The pastor told me that the baristas are church staff and have to be employees of the church and follow church rules to work there . He also said that they do not need to follow non discrimination laws because they are an outreach ministry...not a licensed business. I think the general public should know this.

It feels very underhanded to keep that info from consumers. Myself and about 40 others who live around the coffee shop have been boycotting Broadway for over a year now . We just want them to put up a sign that says the coffee shop supports the ministry of the church and is not an equal opportunity employer. If they do that, we will end the boycott.

 

...I've never understood why our country tolerates discrimination in the name of religion when the same behavior is illegal for non-religious people to engage in.

What's next, allowing religious people to drive drunk if this is part of their belief system? Allowing anyone with a hateful belief system to discriminate? Why should a collective discriminatory belief system be treated differently than an individual discriminatory belief system?

The City of Salem has held a number of meetings at the Broadway Commons.

But recently public meeting for the Downtown Streetscape and Our Salem projects have been held elsewhere. It'd be good to know if this was because of the Broadway Commons' discrimination policy against LGBTQ members of the Salem community.

If so, great. Kudos to the City of Salem.

If not, then the City of Salem and other government agencies should make it a policy to never hold meetings at the Broadway Commons until the Salem Alliance Church starts acting in the name of love, not discrimination, like religious organizations are supposed to do.

        Broadway Commons

Comments

[LB]

"churches shouldn't be able to discriminate against gays"

-- In a free country, why not?

I'm not against gays and would not prohibit them from any church or business that I might have. I would welcome them as long as they didn't steal stuff or something like that. But it seems to me people should be able to bake a cake or not for whoever they like, for example.

It's not very nice not to serve gays, but it's my business, not the government's. Maybe someone doesn't like people with Finnish accents (personally, I'm not sure I could identify a Finnish accent). That's a weird attitude, but I'm the owner of the establishment not the people who go there.

You used to see signs on restaurants,.. "No Shoes or shirt, no service". Isn't that discriminatory? Maybe I have sore feet. I guess I'll have to eat at the hot dog cart.

I know there are all sorts of arguments against what I just said. Some I may agree with. That's just my gut feeling on the matter..

[Fairy Gyani]

TIBETAN BUDDHIST RAINBOW BODY TRADITION.
I am not homophobic, what homosexual and heterosexual people do in privacy, is their own business. However it is a fact that HIV is predominant amongst homosexual men. Anal and oral sex are not healthy practices! FACT. And there are high promiscuity levels of sexual practices amongst homosexuals. If two people of the same sex really love each other
then well and good. There are many of those born in the wrong body, I do believe for whatever reason. But no matter what a male body will NEVER be a female body and a female body will NEVER be a male body. I have read only 0.2% of the population are actually transsexual. THERE ARE ONLY TWO SEXES. To all homosexual people and people who call themselves trans, yes you do have the same human rights, but you have a disability and you are a minority. Compassionate societies care for all minorities.There should only be a choice of two genders on birth certificates and only females menstruate. Just be and let be and please stop pushing your agenda in the world's face. You are already taken care of. Gay used to mean happy, a fairy was actually a fairy, and a true rainbow body will never be achieved by certain sexual practices. Once upon a time a rainbow was a symbol of pure light and happy pure and clear things, a symbol of fairies and unicorns for children certainly not what it is a symbol of now! I have had some dear homosexual friends whom I respect, but please, please, there ARE only two sexes and just stop perverting the TRUTH. You already have rights and I am tired of the corruption!🧚