As progressives process a number of disappointing losses from the Nov. 2 election results, it’s important we don’t glaze over a concerning ruling that came from a federal judge in Texas on Sunday. U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor—the guy who Trump once praised at length for striking down the Affordable Care Act and who overturned protections for trans patients in health care settings—ruled that for-profit businesses do not have to abide by LGBTQ+ discrimination claims if it clashes with their religious beliefs, as reported by the Dallas Morning News. This ruling is in opposition to a ruling from the Supreme Court that protected people based on sexual orientation and gender identity. O’Connor’s ruling also permits certain other religious groups, like churches and nonprofits associated with a religion, to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. How so? By refusing to hire them because of their identities, and by allowing them to be fired once employed because of their identities.  Read more