Religious freedom is a fundamental value, but it does not permit government-funded providers to discriminate against the children and families they are supposed to serve.

In a new attempt to undermine the U.S. Supreme Court’s marriage equality ruling, state legislators in South Carolina and Wyoming have introduced bills that would declare valid marriages as existing only between one man and one woman – other marriages would be unlawful.

No one should make the mistake of assuming that proposals like this are just jokes. They’re introduced to make a point, and they send a real message of harm to an entire segment of our population. They openly ridicule and mock people for seeking something that most folks want – a loving relationship with a partner that is legally recognized by the government.