I just read Rob Poissant’s letter about the so-called dangers of passing the Equality Act (letter, May 9). Unfortunately, Mr. Poissant has failed to check the facts about this legislation. No funds are involved, so there is no “taxpayer dollars paying for gender reassignment surgery” and no “doctors or nurses are ordered to participate against their consciences.”

According to the Human Rights Campaign, “despite significant steps forward, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Americans lack basic legal protections in states across the country.” This act would “provide consistent and explicit non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service.”

I am reminded of similar fear-based arguments against giving same-sex couples the right to marry. Many warned it would be the end of the family as we knew it, marriage would lose its meaning, and a variety of other things which turned out not to be true. The main argument against both same-sex marriage and equal rights for LGBTQI individuals appears to be based in religious beliefs, and as a person of faith, I believe we must be vigilant in maintaining the separation of church and state.

It is vitally important that all of us be able to live our lives free from harassment or discrimination. Please urge your elected representatives to support the Equality Act.

 

Tracey Horton

Waterville

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