Fwd: Over 20 schools have changed their policy thanks to our letter!

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: PA Family Institute <mail@pafamily.org>
Date: Fri, Feb 14, 2020 at 12:28 PM
Subject: Over 20 schools have changed their policy thanks to our letter!
To: <info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org>

Nearly half of school districts already changing policy on religious speech thanks to ILC letter

The response to the Independence Law Center's letter campaign to protect religious freedom in schools has already shown great success. Not only have over 20 school districts changed their policies to align with a constitutional protection of religious speech, but it has also garnered media attention, raising awareness to the importance of this issue.

This has also captured much media attention. Here's some of the coverage:

Tribune Review: "Local school districts asked to remove policies restricting religious liberties"
Tribune Review Editorial: "Religion, speech free of fear"
CBS Pittsburgh: "Law Center: Local School Districts Have Policies That Violate Constitutional Right To Express Religious Beliefs"
WORLD Magazine

For more about these letters, go to independencelaw.org/2020/02/protectspeech/

Join Our Campaign: Fund Care, Not Abortion

Gov. Wolf created a new line item in his budget that would send $3 million of your taxdollars to those committing abortions, like Planned Parenthood, an organization that made close to that in profits in just their last reporting year and who had half of their abortion facilities fail health inspections last year.

Click here to contact your state elected officials and let them know that you should not be forced to give more to an organization like this.

Policy Update: Allegheny County "Therapy Ban"

On Tuesday, February 11, the Allegheny County Council rushed passage of the so-called "conversion therapy ban," an ordinance that bans loving and professional forms of therapy that can be beneficial to someone who is experiencing unwanted same-sex attraction or unwanted feelings of being the opposite sex. Unfortunately, now minors who desire to change their unwanted feelings will not have access to any professional who provides services that they themselves want and/or need.

The bill was introduced on Tuesday, but instead of holding a second reading and sending it into committee for hearings, which is what Council rules say should happen, the council members voted to waive the second reading and any hearings and go right to voting. The bill passed 13 to 2 within about an hour of introducing the bill.

Click here to thank the two council members who voted No.

If you or anyone you know will be affected by this bill, please contact us so that we may discuss potential legal recourse. We believe the bill that was passed last night is unconstitutional and should be challenged.

New Staff Member: Meet Lexi!

We are excited to announce the newest addition to our staff! Alexis (Lexi) Stefani is now our Communications and Development Assistant. Lexi served as an intern with the Family Research Council and is now a fresh college graduate from Biola University. "I am eager to implement what I've learned so far in the fight for Family, Faith, and Freedom with the PFI team." Welcome Lexi!