Liberals members of the state legislature introduced a bill that would ban discrimination against homosexual workers, the fourth session such legislation has been introduced.

Nate Grasz of the Nebraska Family Alliance says the stated intent is to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, which he calls a “laudable thing” in principle.

“But unfortunately what we’ve seen,” he points out, “is that these laws are not used to stop actual discrimination but instead are used to silence dissent and punish people of faith who disagree on marriage and human sexuality.”

Such laws are used by homosexual activists to go after Christians, in fact, and that growing list includes bakers, florists, photographers, bed-and-breakfast owners, and others whose religious beliefs clash with new laws that force them to violate their conscience or violate the law.

Grasz says the bill’s supporters failed to whip enough votes for its passage and debate ended after approximately three hours of debate.

Although the bill wasn’t technically defeated, Grasz says it’s unlikely to be revived this session but will return during the next legislative session.