Christian organizations and churches in California are opposing a new law mandating anti-hate speech training in workplaces. They argue it imposes a government-approved stance on issues such as sexual orientation and gender identity.
Assembly Bill 1803, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, will be effective from January 1, 2028. It requires workplaces with at least five employees to incorporate instruction on identifying and addressing hate speech based on protected characteristics, including sexual orientation and gender identity.
Traditional Christian churches, whose teachings include certain views on sexuality, are not explicitly exempt. The California Family Council and several pastors express concerns that the law might conflict with Christian beliefs on sexuality, potentially affecting workplace relations.
Greg Burt, Vice President of the California Family Council, criticized the legislation for promoting a biased view contrary to conservative beliefs. He argued that the new curriculum targets those with conventional perspectives.
Pastor Paul Chappell from Lancaster Baptist Church described the bill as an effort by California’s legislators to marginalize conservative voices. Burt highlighted the difficulty in regulating undefined terms like hate speech, questioning its legal clarity.
The new regulations will also affect public sector employees, such as teachers. Employers might face a dilemma in managing religious expression versus compliance, raising potential legal issues.
Equality California supports the law, pointing out gaps in existing training could leave employees vulnerable to hostile environments. They declined further comment.
Pastor Jack Hibbs from Calvary Chapel Chino Hills voiced strong opposition, declaring the legislation as an intrusion into church matters. He criticized the state legislature’s moral authority and suggested the government oversteps in dictating morality.
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