The new rule would include the categories of homosexual, lesbian, and transgender and would have legal force only if adopted by state bar associations. OneNewsNow asked Regent University law professor Matt Gantt, who is speaking for himself rather than the university, if an attorney on the board of an organization that opposes homosexuality theoretically could be disciplined.

“It’s unclear – and the committee report is walking a fine line,” he responds. “They obviously don’t want to say that this is going to include every type of conduct and be too broad; but at the same time there is some language that says that those types of activities could be affected.”

Another question is whether the rule modification warrants the change.

Gannt

“One of the justifications that the ABA offered for a rule is that this is needed; that there is harassment and discrimination happening in the legal profession,” says Gantt. “Yet the evidence that they offered was not substantial and certainly was not, in my mind, extensive as it relates to these various categories that I read through.”

Opponents suggest adoption of the modified rule might represent at attempt to force attorneys to accept a certain social agenda and perhaps violate their religious beliefs.

The ABA convention begins today.