The Equality Act

The US House of Representatives just passed the Equality Act which will extend civil rights protections to LGBTQ people. It faces an uphill climb in the Senate, unfortunately. And if it makes it to the White House, the President is likely to veto it.

What I don’t understand is why anyone would oppose this legislation. According to the Washington Post, it “would prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, education, jury service and federal financing, protecting people from being fired or harassed for their sexuality or gender identity.” And this is bad, how?

Apparently, some people think that having anything to do with gay people is tacit approval of their “gayness”, so they don’t want to do business with them. And, God forbid that they have to deal with a trans person!

My daughter is bisexual and gender-queer. My “foster” daughter is gay and married. Why should it be OK for an apartment complex to refuse to rent to them? Or for an employer to fire them? Because, in some places, this is apparently just fine. Yet, they’re both model employees and live normal lives and live in normal apartments. Because they’re normal people!

I also don’t understand how other people being LGBT or trans affects some people’s religious sensibilities (which is their excuse for discrimination), particularly Christians. I’m a Christian, albeit not so conservative anymore. Nonetheless, I’ve been a believer for most of my life and I’m quite familiar with the Bible. There is nothing in the Bible that would allow one to discriminate against another for their sexual orientation. In fact, Jesus’ overarching message was one of love. It seems to me that Jesus would rent to the LGBT person, bake their cake, hire them (if qualified, of course), and generally do whatever it takes to be a loving person.

So, call your Senators and encourage them to get this bill to the floor and vote for it if it gets to the floor. And, of course, love other people, especially your LGBT neighbors!

Catherine