The “Save Chick-fil-A” bill was signed into law on Monday by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
As Christian Headlines previously reported, the bill – SB 1978 – will protect businesses from being discriminated against by government entities because of their “membership in, affiliation with, or contribution, donation, or other support provided to a religious organization.”
The legislation came about in the lone star state after San Antonio’s City Council voted in March to exclude Chick-fil-A from the airport, in part due to the company’s donations to the Salvation Army and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
District 1 City Councilman Robert Treviño shared that he believed excluding the Christian affiliated Chicken restaurant was the right call because “we do not have room in our public facilities for a business with a legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior,” the Washington Times reported back in March.
Texas state Rep. Jessica Gonzalez (D-TX) – who is an openly gay woman – regarded the bill as a personal attack. According to CBN News, Gonzalez said, “Of course this bill is aimed at me.
She continued, “It’s about reminding those of us who have never belonged not to get too comfortable.”
Another Texas state Rep. Celia Israel (D-TX) went as far as to say the law is all about “hatred.”
Supporters of the bill, however, see the exclusion of Chick-fil-A on the basis of religious belief, as clear and blatant religious discrimination.
“The city’s decision to ban Chick-fil-A was blatant, illegal religious discrimination. We want to know just how deep the religious animosity runs within San Antonio’s city government,” First Liberty’s general counsel Hiram Sasser said.
State Rep. Matt Schaefer (R-TX) voiced that the bill was necessary to protect people of faith. “Should any city council be able to refuse me as a vendor in their city simply because I make donations to my church, which holds a biblical view of marriage?” he questioned.
According to Dallas News, Abbott did not hold a public signing for the bill and has yet to release a statement regarding the bill’s signing. The Governor had, however, voiced his support for the bill prior to signing it.
Related:
Chick-fil-A Banned from Airport for Its ‘Legacy of Anti-LGBTQ Behavior’
2nd U.S. Airport Bans Chick-fil-A for Spreading ‘Hate and Discrimination’
Airports Banning Chick-fil-A Are ‘Anti-Christian,’ Columnist Says
Texas Senate Revives ‘Save Chick-fil-A Bill’ Days after House Democrats Killed It
‘Save Chick-fil-A Bill’ Passes Texas House, Banning Religious Discrimination
Chick-fil-A to Become 3rd Largest Restaurant Chain, Despite Being Closed on Sundays
Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Tom Pennington/Stringer
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