Press Release
ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, June 10, 2022
CONTACT: nicole velasco @
media@faith-freedom.COM
For Immediate Release 06/10/2022, Murrieta, California – Yesterday, the San Diego Human Relations Commission held a special meeting to remove Dennis Hodges for saying “discriminatory” and “hateful” comments towards the transgender community. Thirteen brave Commissioners refused to remove him, but the threat of removal still exists so long as the Commission can rely on a vague and overbroad Code of Conduct to silence dissenting beliefs.
Mr. Hodges has dedicated his life to public service and ministry. He believes all creation is made in the image of God, and that we are to love all individuals, regardless of gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. Mr. Hodges is unabashed about his Christian beliefs, though, and has expressed that humans are to express their biological and creational differences as men and women.
The event that precipitated the removal of Mr. Hodges was on November 9, 2021, when the Commission discussed an agenda item regarding amplifying the voices of the San Diego transgender community. Mr. Hodges abstained from voting because of his sincerely held religious beliefs.
“The Commission’s effort to remove Mr. Hodges sets a dangerous precedent that one can be removed from their position for holding traditional, religious beliefs,” says Nate Kellum, Chief Litigation Counsel for Advocates for Faith and Freedom. “Mr. Hodges never discriminated against the transgender community. He simply refused to endorse an agenda that is antithetical to his Christian beliefs.”
Pastor Hodges has retained Advocates for Faith and Freedom. Advocates is exploring all legal options available to Mr. Hodges.
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