18/3/2021 / 12424
Bishop Hutterer and many other community leaders signed this Open Letter.
Community Leaders Issue Statement in Support of LGBTQ Equality and Religious Freedom
(Mesa, AZ. March 20, 2021) – In an open letter to Arizona residents, United States Senator Kyrsten Sinema, Equality Arizona, ONE Community, and leaders from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, United Church of Christ and Jewish faiths expressed support for LGBTQ equality and protecting religious rights.
“My faith compels me to treat all people fairly and equally, with deep humility and respect. As a person of faith, I believe that inclusive non-discrimination is the essence of the Golden Rule, which exists in most, if not all, religious teachings worldwide. Its crux is that we should treat others as we would want to be treated,” said Robert T. Hoshibata, Resident Bishop, Desert Southwest Conference, Methodist Church
“Simply put, protecting people from discrimination is about treating others as we want to be treated. LGBTQ rights and religious freedom do not have to be in conflict. Instead, we can come together to protect all people and unify our community on what has for too long been a divisive issue,” said Elder Dale Willis, Area Seventy, with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“As someone who grew up in the LDS Church in Mesa and is also transgender, this is an incredible moment of love and acceptance of the equal worth and dignity of LGBTQ people. This letter serves as a powerful rebuke of attempts to repeal the ordinance and divide our community using fear and lies. I hope Mesa residents will join Church leadership and decline to sign the petition seeking to repeal the ordinance,” said Michael Soto, President of Equality Arizona.
“We are proud to have support for non-discrimination from the LDS Church and faith leaders across the state,” said Angela Hughey, President and Co-Founder of ONE Community. “Equal protections benefit everyone in our community, LGBTQ people and people of faith included. Everyone deserves an opportunity to earn an honest living, have safe houses and access to services,” concluded Ms. Hughey.
The full statement, which can also be found here, reads:
An Open Letter to Arizona Residents:
As citizens and leaders in the community, we write in support of non-discrimination ordinances that protect all people, including LGBTQ people, from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations, while also protecting important religious rights.
No one should be denied these protections for being LGBTQ, and likewise religious persons and institutions should be protected in practicing their faith.
We are deeply concerned that the ongoing conflicts between religious liberty and LGBTQ rights are poisoning our civil discourse, eroding the free exercise of religion and preventing diverse people of good will from living together in respect and peace.
We hope that every level of government will apply these common values and core principles in a balanced approach with all stakeholders engaging in respectful dialogue. LGBTQ rights and religious freedom do not have to be in conflict. Instead, we can come together to protect all people and unify our community on what has for too long been a divisive issue.
We respectfully urge all Arizona residents to join in support of public policy that provides protections for LGBTQ persons as well as people and institutions of faith.
Sincerely,
United States Senator, Kyrsten Sinema
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Dale Willis
Robert T. Hoshibata, Resident Bishop,Desert Southwest Conference, United Methodist Church
The Right Rev. Jennifer A. Reddall, VI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona
The Rev. Deborah K. Hutterer, Bishop, Grand Canyon Synod, ELCA
Rev. Dr. William Lyons, Conference Minister Southwest Conference UCC
Rabbi Robert L. Kravitz, D.D. Past-president, Board of Rabbis of Greater Phoenix
Angela Hughey, President, ONE Community
Michael Soto, Executive Director, Equality Arizona