"Peaceful Coexistence": U.S. Commission on Civil Rights report includes Michael Helfand testimony

September 8, 2016 --  Professor Michael A. Helfand testified before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in 2013.  The Commission's report, titled "Peaceful Coexistence: Reconciling Nondiscrimination Principles with Civil Liberties," was recently published and includes Professor Helfand's testimony.

From the PR Newswire announcement:

In the context of the continuing national debate, the report offers a detailed examination of the balance struck in the law between faith-based exemptions from otherwise applicable nondiscrimination laws, and legal protections established in nondiscrimination law such as the right to marry.

The report also sets out findings and recommendations for policy-makers in considering the effect of recent Supreme Court opinions.  One important Commission finding is that the "U.S. Supreme Court has recently reaffirmed the foremost importance of civil liberties and civil rights, including nondiscrimination laws and policies," and that "eligious exemptions to the protections of civil rights based upon classifications such as race, color, national origin, sex, disability status, sexual orientation, and gender identity, when they are permissible, significantly infringe upon these civil rights."

Read the complete announcement at prnewswire.com (PDF).