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The legislation prevents state and local governments from "punishing" businesses because of their donations to faith-based groups, including anti-LGBTQ ones.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into law what's been dubbed the "Save Chick-fil-A Bill."
The legislation prohibits the state and its cities and counties from punishing individuals or businesses because of their membership in or donations to religious organizations, including anti-LGBTQ ones.
It's aimed at preventing situations like the one that occurred a few months ago in San Antonio, where the City Council voted not to allow a Chick-fil-A restaurant in the local airport because of the company's donations to anti-LGBTQ organizations.
The bill was almost killed in the Texas House of Representatives early in May when out Rep. Julie Johnson used a procedural move to keep it from coming up for debate by the deadline for considering House-originated legislation. But the House could still consider bills that originated in the Senate, so Senate fast-tracked its version, held a hearing with no notice and no witnesses, and passed it, then sent it to the House, which approved it as well.
The signature by Abbott, who has a long and strong anti-LGBTQ record, was expected, especially given that he sent this tweet:
\u201cSo. What are the odds I\u2019ll sign the Chick-fil-A bill?\n\nI\u2019ll let you know after dinner. \n\n\u2066@ChickfilA\u2069 #txlege\u201d— Greg Abbott (@Greg Abbott) 1558402513
LGBTQ rights group Equality Texas denounced the legislation, calling it an "anti-LGBTQ dog whistle." It does not materially change Texas law, the group emphasized, but it does send the message that homophobic and transphobic views deserve protection.
\u201cGovernor Abbott signed SB 1978, the so-called \u201cSave Chick-fil-A\u201d bill, into law today. This bill is nothing more than an \u201canti-LGBTQ dog whistle\u201d.\u201d— Equality Texas (@Equality Texas) 1560273467
\u201cHere\u2019s what you need to know about SB 1978...\n\n1. This bill does not materially change current law in Texas. It simply reaffirms First Amendment protections.\u201d— Equality Texas (@Equality Texas) 1560273467
\u201c2. This bill is the brainchild of anti-LGBTQ national and state-level activists. Even though it does not take away the rights of LGBTQ people, it does advance the message that anti-LGBTQ views deserve special protections.\u201d— Equality Texas (@Equality Texas) 1560273467
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