I know all too well what happens when people feel empowered, encouraged and enabled by the lack of protections and acceptance of the LGBTQ community. It results in people like Matt being kidnapped, brutally attacked and left to die by people who hate you simply for who you are.
And, sometimes, when people feel empowered in this way, it allows them to intentionally misrepresent a person’s words to stir up hate.
They claim that those of us, both straight and gay, who are working to protect the equal rights for millions of LGBTQ Americans across this country are out to persecute them for their religious beliefs. What about the persecution received daily by members of the LGBTQ community in the slow and insidious erosion of their rights as citizens of this country?
People of faith are people of love, with respect for the dignity and equality of all citizens of America. The Supreme Court ruled that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission did not give Mr. Phillips’ beliefs the full respect they deserved. But to be perfectly clear, the Supreme Court’s decision only invalidated the state commission’s ruling. It did not invalidate Colorado’s anti-discrimination law. It did not grant Mr. Phillips the right to refuse service to same-sex couples seeking a wedding cake in the future.
However, the difference is that the florist case decision was determined by a court of law judges, not by a “civilian” group of citizens as in the Colorado cake case, thus making it extremely difficult to find the bias necessary to overturn the decision.
My hope is that others who find themselves in this situation — as well as all those who rush in to speak about the situation in the public arena — will assume a good faith effort on the part of all involved. It’s OK to disagree on policy, but it should never get personal.
My son’s lost life is proof of the harm that comes from weaponizing each other’s beliefs. I understand, in a way that no father should, how hard it can be to stay civil when someone’s core convictions and true identity are up for debate. But it doesn’t move our society any closer to being more accepting to deny each other the equal right to live and be loved. A person’s sexual orientation and gender identity is no more a choice than a person’s height or eye color.
In Matt’s memory, my wife, Judy, and I have dedicated our lives to working for equality, acceptance and respect for all marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ community. This is not to say my son was perfect — he was a typical college student in every sense — but I have never doubted that he loved his country and expected to be loved by it in all aspects, including the legal rights afforded to all Americans, both straight and gay.
Source : Nbcnewyork