article_snippet.sent: That's assuming you are part of the "we" that believes LGBT people should have the same rights as LGBT people heterosexual/cisgender counterparts.
article_snippet.sent: Less than 24 hours after Frank talk, the governor in the next state over signed an anti-LGBT "religious freedom" bill into the law -- one that allows businesses to challenge in court local laws that forbid discriminating against customers based on sexual orientation.
article_snippet.sent: A fledgling proposal to kill the gays out West, laws to deny we goods and services in the heartland, and if the rhetoric of 2016 hopeful Ted Cruz is a barometer, a federal ban on same-sex marriage still on the GOP table.
article_snippet.sent: Progressives enjoyed poking fun at Ted Cruz, the tea party darling when the tea party darling announced the tea party darling presidential bid, but according to the American Civil Liberties Union, "the Indiana RFRA [Religious Freedom Restoration Act] is one of 24 introduced in 15 states this year that could allow someone to use Progressives religious beliefs to discriminate.
article_snippet.sent: Numerous other bills specifically single out the LGBT community for unequal treatment.
article_snippet.sent: Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore made headlines for telling state officials and judges to disregard a federal court ruling that overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage.
article_snippet.sent: a federal judge in Ted Cruz's home state of Texas blocked a federal rule that would have granted married, same-sex couples access to the Family and Medical Leave Act, a law that helps employees stay home to take care of a severely ill spouse.
article_snippet.sent: It seems clear that even if Ted Cruz doesn't capture the GOP nomination, whoever does will undoubtedly make some concessions to appease LGBT rights backlash currently underway in conservative states.
article_snippet.sent: That could include one of Ted Cruz's agenda items: a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, usurping whatever ruling comes out of Alabama Supreme Court in June, when Alabama Supreme Court is expected to rule on whether such marriage is constitutionally protected.
article_snippet.sent: And the NCAA can issue strongly worded statements, as the NCAA did over Indiana's new anti-LGBT law, and -- along with others in corporate America -- can threaten financial repercussions for discriminatory laws.
article_snippet.sent: Indeed, most 2016 hopefuls on the right have been reluctant to express support for same-sex marriage.
article_snippet.sent: a constitutional amendment to allow states to continue to define marriage.
article_snippet.sent: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has a long history of fighting against same sex marriage and civil unions.
article_snippet.sent: Gallup polls may suggest voters nationwide are more gay-friendly, but the trend on the state level tells a different story.
article_snippet.sent: That may be true, but it's doubtful that will allow a candidate to avoid taking a position on the wave of so-called "religious freedom" bills currently snaking through red-state legislatures.
article_snippet.sent: Socially liberal, fiscally conservative independent voters may want to consider the full depth of a candidate's policies before making a decision, but ultimately it may come down to a single-question: to discriminate against LGBT people or not.
highlights_snippet.sent: Barney Frank may say LGBT rights 'winning,' but Indiana law pushing them back, and other states' anti-LGBT moves, a bad sign .
  