The Rev. Luis Cortes Jr. is the founder of Philadelphia-based Esperanza, one of the largest Hispanic evangelical networks in the nation. Cortes was a member of the commission for Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, which in 2013 produced a report on government regulation of political speech in houses of worship.

Jody Hice is a Republican U.S. representative from Georgia and a Southern Baptist pastor. He introduced the Free Speech Fairness Act, an amendment to the Johnson Amendment, with House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La. Hice may be contacted via his website.

Steve Scalise is a Republican U.S. representative who serves as the House majority whip and represents the First Congressional District of Louisiana. He introduced the Free Speech Fairness Act, which would modify the Johnson Amendment, with Rep. Jodi Hice, R-Ga. Scalise may be contacted via his website.

Jerry Falwell Jr. is president of Liberty University, an evangelical Christian school in Lynchburg, Virginia. He serves on President Donald Trump’s evangelical advisory board. Arrange an interview through Scott Lamb, the university’s senior vice president for communications.

Mindy Michels manages Freedom House’s Dignity for All LGBTI Assistance Program from Washington, D.C. Dignity for All provides emergency assistance; security, opportunity and advocacy rapid response grants (SOAR grants); and security assessment and training to human rights defenders and civil society organizations under threat or attack due to their work for LGBTI human rights.

Michael Heflin is director of equality for the Open Society Human Rights Initiative, which promotes justice, equality and participation of all, including LGBTI individuals and communities.

Graeme Reid is director of the LGBT rights program at Human Rights Watch in New York City. Reid, who is originally from South Africa, has conducted research and has taught and published extensively on gender, sexuality, LGBT issues and HIV/AIDS.

Shawn M. Gaylord leads Human Rights First’s initiative to combat violence against LGBTI people globally.

Colin Stewart runs the Erasing 76 Crimes blog, which focuses on the human toll of more than 70 countries’ anti-LGBTI laws and local struggles to repeal them.