LGBTQ+ Federation: Religious freedom bill is excuse to discriminate

By The Star Staff

The LGBTQ+ Federation of Puerto Rico has declared its opposition to Senate Bill 1, a measure introduced by Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz, which purportedly prioritizes religious freedom but is seen by the Federation as a license to discriminate.

The Federation asserts that the bill is unnecessary, given that religious freedom is already protected by the island Constitution.

The bill to create the Law on the Fundamental Right to Religious Freedom – which revives legislation discarded in the past – would address regulations on compulsory vaccination, financial assistance for educational purposes, and the scope of sanctions for parents who choose not to immunize their children.

Pedro Julio Serrano, president of the Federation, stated that “Senate Bill 1 has no value other than to use it as a Trojan horse to hide a possible license to discriminate under the pretext of religious freedom.”

Olga Chapman Rivera, the Federation’s communications director, added: “We oppose this bill that opens the door to possible discrimination against citizens by any public servant who refuses to provide a service because of their religious beliefs.”

The Federation has demanded public hearings on the measure, aiming to shed light on its potentially dangerous implications. Serrano described the bill as “unnecessary, dangerous and a crude attempt to please a fundamentalist sector.”