House Bill No. 1243
Our Position: Oppose
Brief Description:
The South Dakota Catholic Conference opposes the passage of House Bill 1243, legislation which would alter South Dakota criminal law to recognize “sexual orientation or gender identity” as protected legal classifications of persons. HB 1243 does not propose to define this terminology.
The Church abhors harm done to any person through word and deed. All persons, based on their innate dignity as children of God, equally have a right to security and to be protected from harm. Current law provides that protection.
The State has the duty to assist in assuring safe environments and through its criminal justice system impose punishment proportionate to the offense. At the same time, there can be no true promotion of man and woman’s dignity unless the essential order of their creation by God is respected.