California law on workplace LGBT hate speech draws Christian criticism

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 23:01 · Archive

California's new law requiring employers to add LGBT hate speech instruction to harassment training has drawn criticism from Christian groups.

California's Assembly Bill 1803, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last month, requires employers with five or more employees to integrate instruction on recognizing and addressing workplace speech that 'vilifies, humiliates, or incites hatred' based on protected characteristics including sexual orientation and gender identity. The law takes effect on 1 January 2028.

Christian churches whose teachings are based on biblical passages stating that homosexual acts or same-sex relationships are contrary to biblical teaching are not explicitly exempt from the training requirements. The California Family Council and pastors from traditional churches across the state say this poses a significant problem, warning that traditional Christian teachings on sexuality, marriage and gender could become entangled in workplace disputes over what constitutes hateful speech.

Greg Burt, vice president of the California Family Council, told Fox News Digital that the law represents an attempt to 'retrain the entire population regarding what they believe about gender and sexual orientation'. He alleged that 'California's Civil Rights Department put together some curriculum that is explicitly condemning anyone who has a conservative view'. Dr. Paul Chappell, pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church, described the bill as 'poorly written' and 'a stretch by another liberal California legislator attempting to create bias against conservatives'.

How it is being reported

• Christian groups and pastors say new California LGBT hate speech law is disguised as indoctrinationA new California law requiring employers to integrate "anti-hate speech" instruction into workplace harassment training is drawing criticism from conservative ChristiansNew York Post · 18 Oct, 22:51
• Christian groups and pastors say new California LGBT hate speech law is disguised as indoctrinationCalifornia’s new LGBT hate speech law reads more like a lesson in gender theory than a harassment law, say Christian groups and pastorsFox News · 18 Oct, 17:00

In this story: California · Gavin Newsom · California Family Council · Greg Burt · Paul Chappell · Lancaster Baptist Church

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem