- The bill known as Fairness For All

expands the Civil Rights Act of 1964

to include sexual orientationand gender identity.

It also provides exemptionsfor religious liberty,

and that's key for people of faith

who have watched theirprotections decline,

while those for LGBTQ people have grown.

In New York, wedding businessowner, Cynthia Gifford,

had to pay state fines after refusing

a same-sex ceremony on her property.

- When the governmenttells you what to say

and punishes you if youdon't, is scary stuff.

- [Heather] Christiancolleges and universities

have also faced a host ofreligious liberty battles,

so they work to frame the bill.

- It's very important in America

to be able to teach and to have policies

that reflect a conservative, orthodox

and historical position on marriage,

and we wanna make sure there's no penalty

around those beliefs in the future.

- [Heather] A small group of gay activists

have also pursued the bill.

They say it's a far betterdeal for people of faith

than the radical Equality Act,

which House Democrats passedunanimously last spring.

- And eventually both of thesesides and both of these bills

are going to have start working together

to find something that can actually pass

both chambers of Congressand be signed by a president.

- [Heather] The bill's Republican sponsor,

Utah Representative, Chris Stewart,

says it's time for lawmakers to resolve

the country's debateover religious liberty.

- I think it's better for us in society

if the courts don't haveto resolve these issues

one at a time, often inconflicting findings,

and over many, many years.

That leads to uncertainly,and in too many cases,

strife and conflict.

- [Heather] But conservativesat the Heritage Foundation

and Alliance Defending Freedom

say the religious libertyprotections are weak

and that elevating sexualorientation and gender identity

to a protected class will harmliberty, privacy and safety.

- There are many of uswho believe that this bill

concedes far, far, far too much

and undermines theinterest of young people

who are suffering from gender dysphoria

or of their parents of women and girls

who wanna compete on an equalplaying field in athletics.

- Those backing FairnessFor All say people of faith

need an alternative to the Equality Act,

which most believe would severely

threaten religious liberty.

They believe Fairness For All could lead

to a longterm discussion and solution

with the LGBTQ community.

Heather Sells, CBN News.