Religious Freedom Restoration Act Testimony Heard

Opponents of the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) told a Senate committee Tuesday the proposal is a license to discriminate, but supporters of the bill say it protects religious freedom.

Christa and Jaime Contreras, a couple from Oak Park whose infant daughter was denied service by a pediatrician because they are gay, told the Senate Judiciary Committee RFRA is unnecessary because the U.S. Constitution already protects religion.

They say the state needs more protections for the LGBT community.

But bill sponsor, Senate Republican Mike Shirkey, says his bill is not designed to allow discrimination. He says it simply stops government from infringing on religious beliefs.

The committee will hear more testimony on RFRA Wednesday.