T-shirt company owner: "No business owner should be forced to violate his conscience simply because someone demands it"

There is a difference between this and the segregated lunch counters of the 50’s. I’m sure the t-shirt company would sell blank t-shirts to GLSO if requested. It’s not a matter or refusing to do business; it’s a matter of being told what business you will do. Would it be discrimination if a Jewish person asks Denny’s to prepare a special kosher meal, and Dennys refuses?

Makes me truly frightened for my children.

Would it be discrimination if a Jewish person asks Denny’s to prepare a special kosher meal, and Dennys refuses?

Mute point, I’m sure! I doubt their kitchen is kosher.

LGBT community already has specific legal protections against hiring and housing discrimination.

Jim, I think the comparison is still valid as an example of the difference between this issue and segregation.

Same idea http://www.redstate.com/kipling/2012/03/30/christian-student-groups-for… here -

In 2011 Vanderbilt University adopted a new nondiscrimination policy that prohibits a student organization from requiring its members and even its leadership to adhere to a statement of faith. Vanderbilt adopted the new policy after Beta Upsilon Chi, a Christian fraternity, removed one of its leaders because he disagreed with the fraternity’s official stand on homosexuality….

So far four Christian student groups have left Vanderbilt University rather than compromise their beliefs – Vanderbilt Catholic, Graduate Christian Fellowship, Christian Legal Society, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Vanderbilt University argues that the new policy is not a violation of religious freedom because no one is telling said groups whom to elect as leaders. According to a Vanderbilt spokesman, “it simply allows for anyone to be eligible for membership and to seek a leadership position.” The university’s position is a sham. By opening the membership of any group up to people who do not support the beliefs and objectives of the group, the university is seeking to destroy the cohesiveness of the group and undermine their state objectives. In other words, according to the new policy, membership and leadership of a Christian organization must be open to atheists, Muslims, Hindus, etc. Membership and leadership positions in a Christian student organization must be open to people who oppose the organization’s Statement of Faith and who might even work to oppose the stated goals and intentions of the group.

Only certain groups can use this kind of intimidation to force their will on others. Who would mind if Hands On Tshirts wouldn’t print Ts for the KKK or Serial Killers R Us? Nobody would take up that cause unless they had a death wish.

Hiring and firing is a separate issue, but how and with whom to do business should be left up to the owners, and organizations should not be forced to accept members who cannot agree to the stated purpose of the group.

It’d be a hoot, though, for a conservative Christian man to run for an office for a group like The United Lesbian Pagans of Poughkeepsie- they’d pitch a fit and claim that they were being invaded and harassed and blahblahblah. If you can’t deny him membership based on religion, sexuality, or gender…. well, there ya’ go.