Attorney General Jeff Sessions just issued guidance granting an anti-LGBTQ “license to discriminate.” Federal government staff and contractors will now be able to claim a broad religious exemption from federal laws, rules and regulations meant to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination.

Tweet: Tell @realDonaldTrump: This is SHAMEFUL! Anti-#LGBT guidance is an affront to American values! @equalityfed

Statement by Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director, Equality Federation

This license to discriminate is an attack on the values of freedom and fairness that make this nation great. It opens the door for discrimination in the workplace and public services, flying in the face of the majority of Americans of whom over 70% believe laws should protect LGBTQ people from discrimination.

The Trump Administration’s ongoing attempts to undermine LGBTQ Americans ability to provide for themselves and their families without fear of discrimination highlights the urgent need for national nondiscrimination protections, which are supported by the vast majority of Americans.

Freedom of religion is one of our nation’s most fundamental values, which is why it is already strongly protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. But the freedom of religion does not give people the right to impose their beliefs on others, to harm others, or to discriminate.