Elliot Larsen Expansion "Dead For Now", Bill Sponsor Frank Foster Couldn't Defend Expansion

IT'S DEAD FOR NOW,...NOT enough support to get the expansion of the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act (to include LGBT individuals) passed out of Commerce Committee!!! - Stated a joyful Antrim Republican County Chair (Trucker) Randy Bishop. 

 Another activist, Minister Stacy Swimp went on his page to report :

Dear Saints of God:

The proposed expansion of Michigan's civil rights laws to include “sexual orientation” legislation was defeated today in the MI House Commerce Committee.

The Bill did not have enough votes to successfully pass and go forward.

It is not necessarily a final victory, as the homosexual agenda will continue fighting for legitimacy.

However, it was a significant win for the kingdom of God, for religious freedom, and even for Biblical marriage.

Only three people were called and permitted an opportunity to testify in opposition to this Bill today.

I was blessed to one of the three.

I also submitted 30 copies of written testimony opposing the proposed Bill which sought to expand our State Civil Rights Bill by adding "“sexual orientation” to it, as though sexual behavior is a "civil right".

As I testified, you could sense the entire tone of the meeting drastically changed,.As I used empirical data to destroy the false comparison of "gay rights" with civil rights.

Even the pro homosexual Chairperson, Republican Frank Foster was flustered and attempted to defend what he could not prove when I asked him "Can you site a singular case to support your claims of discrimination against homosexuals?"

He, after unsuccessfully tying to change the real issue (I didn't allow that!), responded:

"We'll get that to you"

Don't bet on it!

I will keep you posted.

Keep praying and keep putting pressure on your representatives to defend your religious freedom and Biblical marriage!.

(Note: Keith Den Hollander, President of Michigan Christian Coalition and Attorney David Kallman also testified against this Bill and did a great job!)

Elliot-Larsen Expansion Will Cause Charities And Businesses To Close And Will Allow Additional Lawsuits And Fines

Have you heard about the Christian couple in New York who were fined $13,000 for refusing to host a homosexual wedding in their home? Or the New Mexico photographer fined $6,600 for refusing as a matter of conscience to photograph a lesbian wedding?

Currently there are two homosexual "rights" bills in the state House of Representatives that similarly threaten religious freedom here in Michigan.

Democrats in Lansing have introduced House Bill 5804, which would create special protection for individuals who engage in homosexual behavior or cross-dressing, giving men who claim to be women the "right" to use women's restrooms, locker rooms, and showers. Read the Democrats' bill here.

And outgoing Republican Rep. Frank Foster, who lost in his primary because of intention of expanding Elliot-Larson, still

Frank Foster (R?)

introduced House Bill 5959, which would enact a law identical to other states that have been used to persecute, punish, fine, and discriminate against Christian photographers, bakers, florists and others who refuse as a matter of faith to provide professional services to homosexual weddings. Read Foster's bill here.

Foster's bill is also...

• Identical to laws that ban Catholic Charities from referring children for adoption because they won't refer children to homosexual couples.
• Identical to laws that ban the Boy Scouts from using public parks and campgrounds because the Scouts don't allow openly homosexual Scoutmasters.
• Identical to laws that prohibit the Salvation Army from bidding on government contracts to serve the poor, because it doesn't allow homosexual clergy. 

Faith Based Citizens For Traditional Values Joins Fight To Stop LGBT Agenda

Faith based organization Citizens For Traditional Values, joins the fight to stop the wrong expansion of the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act which is being pushed by outgoing State Representative Frank Foster.  Frank Foster (28 yrs old)

Representing the 107th District

lost his bid for re-election in the primary over this issue.  He is determined to push it through against the will of his constituents.   Below is a copy of CTV press release outlining the damages the expansion will cause. 

For many years, Citizens for Traditional Values CTV has been working with lawmakers and other concerned citizens to oppose amending the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (MCL 37.2102) to include “sexual orientation” as a special protected class.
Unfortunately, Republican State Representative Frank Foster has introduced House Bill 5959 which would do just that.

All one needs to do is look at other states that have passed similar legislation to see what will be coming to Michigan. Christian business owners in Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, New York, Colorado, and other states are facing fines, legal action, and potentially the loss of their businesses, all for simply exercising their religious freedom and rights of conscience.

These situations WILL come to Michigan if the Foster bill passes.We believe that Government should not pass laws that give special status or guarantee special protections for some, but punish others. Every citizen of Michigan has the right to live free, including family business owners. Lawmakers should  not use their power to coerce or force a citizen of Michigan, under the threat of punishment, to surrender their constitutionally protected freedoms.

Please review CTV's WHITE PAPER on this issue here.

In addition, Speaker of the House Jase Bolger has introduced House Bill 5958, entitled the Michigan Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which is intended to “balance” the detrimental consequences of the Foster bill. While not legislatively “tie-barred” together, they are being sold by Speaker Bolger’s office as one package. The best way, however, to protect religious liberty is to reject the Foster bill and the damage it will cause.

Therefore, CTV stands OPPOSED to the expansion of Elliott-Larsen.However, although protecting religious freedom is important for Michigan, the RFRA bill as written is weak and deserves much more consideration than can be accomplished in a short lame-duck legislative session.

Take ActionCONTACT THE HOUSE COMMERCE COMMITTEEWe understand there may be a hearing the first week of December in the House Commerce Committee, chaired by Representative Frank Foster, so we need you to act NOW.
Many of the Commerce Committee members below have already expressed their opposition to Frank Foster’s bill. When you contact them, ask their position and say “thank you” to those who are taking a strong stand against this bill.

Click here to see the whole list of Commerce Committee members
Frank Foster (R) Committee Chair, 107th Dist – Bill sponsorDale Zorn (R) Majority Vice-Chair, 56th District
Gail Haines (R) 43rd District
Wayne Schmidt (R) 104th District
Jeff Farrington (R) 30th District
Ben Glardon (R) 85th District
Joel Johnson (R) 97th District
Aric Nesbitt (R) 66th District
Pat Somerville (R) 23rd District
Rick Outman (R) 70th District
Tim Kelly (R) 94th District
Tom Leonard (R) 93rd District
Jon Switalski (D) Minority Vice-Chair, 28th District
Vicki Barnett (D) 37th District
Jim Townsend (D) 26th District
Harvey Santana (D) 9th District
Stacy Oakes (D) 95th District
Gretchen Driskell (D) 52nd District
Henry Yanez (D) 25th District

YOUR MESSAGE TO COMMERCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

• Be respectful.
• Review the White Paper FACT SHEET and tell them you do not support the expansion of Elliott-Larsen and that State Government should protect freedoms for all, not just for a few.
• Say thank you to those who are opposed to this bill.
• Ask all others to vote against House Bill 5959

CONTACT YOUR OWN LAWMAKERSFind Your State House RepresentativeFind Your State Senator

• YOUR MESSAGE TO YOUR LAWMAKERS, WHO ARE NOT ON THE COMMITTEE:

• Be respectful.
• Review the White Paper FACT SHEET and tell them you do not support the expansion of Elliott-Larsen and that State Government should protect freedoms for all, not just for a few.
• Say thank you to those who are opposed to this bill.
• Ask all others to vote against House Bill 5959

Michgan Primary Shows Tea Party Is Alive And Well

Although the Tea Party suffered some losses with the election losses of Tom McMillin, Alan Arcand and Peter Konetchy for Congress,  Matthew Maddock for State Senate, Wendy Lynn Day, Angela Rigas, and Deb O'Hagan for State Representative, there were many victories.

Tea Party and Christen victories included; Justin Amash, 3rd District Representative in Congress who battled a tough primay, 7th District State Senator Patrick Colbeck, Lana Theis, 42nd District State Representative, Jim Runestad, 44th District State Representative, Cindy Gamrat, 80th District State Representative, Todd Courser, 82nd District State Representative, Gary Glenn 98th District State Representative, Triston Cole, 105th District State Representative, Lee Chatfield 107th District State Representative.

These victories were hard fought as the Establishment  branch of the party did everything they could to prevent the Tea Party and Christian Conservatives from winning .

In the 3rd Congressional District Brian Ellis, a business man was chosen by the Establishment Republicans to challenge Sophmore and Tea Party Favorite Justin Amash.  Brian Ellis was endorsed by Retiring Congressman Mike Rogers. Rogers had been at odds with Justin Amash over Amash's stance against the NSA spy agency, the NDAA where American's deemed terrorists can be held indefinitely and lose their constitutional rights.  Justin bucked many in his party and voted against the Continuing Resolutions that kept funding Obamacare.   Former Congressman and 2012 Senate Candidate Pete Hoekstra also supported Ellis.  The nastiness in the campaign was so bad that yesterday at his victory party Justin told Brian Ellis and Pete Hoekstra how he really felt.  

"Brian Ellis, you owe my family and this community an apology," Amash said. "You had the audacity to try to call me today after running a campaign that was called 'the nastiest in the country.' "I ran for office to stop people like you."

"I want to say to lobbyist Pete Hoekstra, you're a disgrace," said Amash, noting the former U.S. representative who appeared in a TV ad for Ellis. "I'm glad we can hand you one more loss before you fade into total obscurity and irrelevance."

In the 107th District the Establishment was so desperate to keep power and their Representative Frank Foster that they courted the Democrat party and asked for their help to take a stand against the Tea Party.

Chatfield's challenge came as a result of Foster's overall liberal voting record (Obamacare-Medicaid expansion, Common Core) but primarily his advocacy for the homosexual activists' top agenda item.

Gary Glenn who is a strong voice for marriage between a man and a woman also won his seat easily. In the race in the 98th Gary Glenn's religious beliefs were attacked for his Christian beliefs on gay marriage. Former Michigan Gubernatorial  Dick Devos' family donated heavily to Glenn's opponent and Devos' right hand man, Greg McKnielly, Dick Devos' right hand man and who quickly got married to his gay partner when the window for gay marriage was briefly opened earlier this year, also worked hard against Glenn.

In the 44th House District there was no love lost between conservative favorite Jim Runestad, who has a conservative record to stand on, versus Liz Fessler Smith, a relative new comer that came from a rocky political family , rose quickly through the ranks and was supported by many Establishment Republicans. 

Liz Fessler Smith stated to tea party members  and Christian Conservatives that she was conservative while at the same time she had committed to amending the Elliott-Larsen Act to include special protections for sexual orientation.  Many false accusations were thrown at Jim, including calling him a racist, which many know to be farthest from the truth.  The police were also called on the Fessler Smith campaign at a precinct in White Lake for what some perceived as voter intimidation.  However one Facebook user advised that Ms. Fessler-Smith decided to post on her facebook wall that the police were called on her opponent.

In Michigan the campaign finance reports where due on July 25th,2014, but as of this writing no complete campaign filing has been given to the Michigan Election Commission.  As previously reported Ms. Fessler Smith stated that her campaign finance information was stolen out of her mother's car the day it was due. 

Former candidates for Michigan Republican Chair and Vice Chair, Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat also won their respect races and one can only wonder what will happen in the State House once they team up again should they when in November.

Overall with all the drama, the Establishment Republicans who have had their hands in pockets of those that support Common Core, Medicaid Expansion, and the gay marriage agenda to a hit with the election of Christian Tea Party Candidates yesterday.