Faith leaders support the LGBT nondiscrimination protections as a moral issue. They are from diverse backgrounds and are united in affirming all human beings in our communities, regardless of who they are or who they love.
An Open Letter from Pennsylvania Faith Leaders
Dear Members of the General Assembly,
As clergy and faith leaders from across our Commonwealth, we ardently support comprehensive LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination protections. We affirm the essential dignity and worth of each person, including our LGBT neighbors and friends. We call on you to adopt this legislation to help end the cruelty of discrimination that affects LGBT people throughout Pennsylvania.
Our faith practices teach us to seek inclusion, peace, and compassion. When LGBT Pennsylvanians are safeguarded against discrimination, our entire communities are strengthened with respect and mutual regard.
As faith leaders we are called to take a stand for those who face discrimination in repudiating acts of prejudice. Updating our nondiscrimination laws extends basic civil rights to those who too often live in fear of harm. We encourage our fellow clergy and indeed all people of faith to join us in this public commitment to equality, respect, and justice for all.
With a shared foundation of benevolence and understanding, we believe that it is a moral imperative to ensure all Pennsylvanians can live with dignity in their communities and be treated equally in their workplaces.
Our Commonwealth has a responsibility to our most vulnerable members. We are speaking out so that Pennsylvanians are protected in our communities regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. We cannot stand idly by while certain Pennsylvanians are discriminated against based on who they are or who they love. To allow any person to be targeted or made unsafe is a severe violation of the fundamental principle that we are all reflections of our Creator.
Legal discrimination fuels a culture of hatred and violence. Inaction on this legislation can no longer stand. We are sending our light to those Pennsylvanians who have lived in fear and experienced the reality of discrimination.
Elie Wiesel once said, “I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.”
As people of faith and Pennsylvanians, we ask you to support comprehensive LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination legislation. This is not only a decision of policy – this is a decision of moral responsibility.
Signed,
SIGN THE PENNSYLVANIA VALUES CLERGY LETTER
Faith leaders signing this letter are doing so as individuals and not necessarily on behalf of their religious institutions, congregations, or affiliated organizations