Separation of church and state protects LGBTQ people's health care rights

Fighting Discrimination

“I Won’t Treat You”: Denying Healthcare on Religious Grounds

We trust health care workers to have our best interests in mind and to make life-saving decisions based on science. We should not have to fear that we will be turned away or denied critical care because of a health provider’s religious beliefs.

But religious extremists and their lawmaker allies want to invite health care providers to use religion to deny people health care – even in emergencies and life-threatening situations.

Broad religious exemptions in the healthcare arena put everyone at risk, but people who already face the greatest barriers in accessing care – especially LGBTQ people, women, people of color and religious minorities – are harmed the most.

Our government should protect patients’ rights, not facilitate discrimination in our health care system.

What you need to know

Trump’s Denial Of Care Rule Blocked

Thanks to lawsuits filed by AU and allies, courts have blocked the Trump administration’s rule that invited health care providers to use religion to deny medical care.

Denying Individuals Care Endangers Public Health

In AU lawsuits, health experts in Baltimore, Md., and Santa Clara County, Calif., explained how not only are individuals harmed when they are turned away or avoid seeking care out of fear of discrimination, but the entire community is endangered by health problems that then go untreated.

LGBTQ, Reproductive Care Targeted

Bills inviting medical providers to cite religion to refuse treatment – such as SB 289, a law signed by Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson in 2021 – often are targeted at LGBTQ people and reproductive care.

Congress needs to hear from you!

Urge your legislators to co-sponsor the Do No Harm Act today.

The Do No Harm Act will help ensure that our laws are a shield to protect religious freedom and not used as a sword to harm others by undermining civil rights laws and denying access to health care.

Act Now