We don’t believe religious rights and LGBTQ+ rights have to be in conflict | Opinion
As citizens and leaders in the state of Florida, we are extremely concerned that the ongoing conflicts between religious rights 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 peace and mutual respect.
It is time to assert clearly that we believe in the values of freedom, equality and fairness for all. We join a growing number of faith and community leaders from around the country in support of non-discrimination legislation that protects all people from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations, while also protecting important religious rights.
No one should be denied these protections based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, and likewise religious persons and institutions should be protected in practicing their faith. Those of us from faith traditions believe that we are all created by a loving God who has commanded us to love each other. We are all also Americans with a long tradition of figuring out how to get along despite deep differences.
LGBTQ rights and religious rights do not have to be in conflict. In fact, many LGBTQ people are themselves people of deep faith. Now is the time to set aside political motives, malice and misrepresentations ,and commit to respectful dialogue and good-faith engagement.
We believe that the state of Florida is uniquely positioned to come together to protect all people, unify our communities and help bring healing to our nation on what for too long has been a divisive issue. That may not be easy in this time of polarization, and it will certainly require good will and mutual accommodation. But it can, and must, be done.
We respectfully urge all Floridians and leaders at every level of government to join in support of these common values and core principles in a balanced approach to provide protections for LGBTQ persons as well as people and institutions of faith.
Elder Victor P. Patrick, of Area Seventy, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida.
Barbara Poma, founder, onePULSE Foundation
Bishop Derrick L. McRae, senior pastor & CEO, The Experience Christian Center
Rev. Dr. Jenn Stiles-Williams, lead pastor, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
Elder Daniel P. Amato, Area Seventy, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Rev. Dr. Joel C. Hunter, faith-based president, Parable Foundation
The Rev. Alison P. Harrity, rector, St. Richard’s Episcopal Church in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida
Josh Bell, executive director, One Orlando Alliance
Rev. Tracie Barrett, University Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Board of Directors, JAM & ALL Interfaith of South Florida
Martha Kirby, Congregational president, University Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Rabbi Joshua Lobel
Rhonda Thomas, executive director, Faith in Florida
Kamran Rouhani, Baha’i Garden of Rivan
Rabbi Dan Levin, The Clergy of Temple Beth El of Boca Raton
Jasbir Bahtia, Sikh Society of Central Florida
Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates, The Clergy of Temple Beth El of Boca Raton
Rev. Jad Denmark, minister of Congregational Life, St Luke’s Methodist Church
Rabbi Elana Rabinshaw, The Clergy of Temple Beth El of Boca Raton
Rev. Melissa Cooper, Minister of Worship, St Luke’s Methodist Church
Rabbi Greg Weisman, The Clergy of Temple Beth El of Boca Raton
Rev. Jeremy Green, minister of new communities, St Luke’s Methodist Church
Cantor Lori Brock, The Clergy of Temple Beth El of Boca Raton
Rev. Benjamin Collins, executive director, All Saints, district coordinator, ECD|FLUMC
Rabbi Amy Grossblatt Pessah, The Clergy of Temple Beth El of Boca Raton
Rev. Madeline Luzinski, clergy, United Methodist Church, Florida UM Children’s Home
Rabbi David Baum, Congregation Shaarei Kodesh Boca Raton
Dr. Reuben Romirowsky, CFO, Jack & Lee Rosen Jewish Community Center
Cathy Ostroff, Koi Ami Congregation of Boca Raton
Addison K. Mitchell, pastor, Park Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, West Cocoa
Dr. Barbara Lunde and Rev. Jill Guerra, The Center for Spiritual Living Boca Raton
Rev. Esther Rodriguez, Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church
Rev. Meghan Killingsworth, co-pastor, First UMC, Sanford
Rev. David Killingsworth, co-pastor, First UMC, Sanford
Claudia Schippert, abbot, Orlando Zen Center
David Jobin, president & CEO, Our Fund Foundation
David Kimball, humanist, Cleveland Clinic Center
Robert Kesten, executive director, Stonewall National Museum & Archives
Rev. Andrew C. Jack Diehl, III, Pastor Emeritus
Terry Dyer, executive director, World AIDS Museum and Educational Center
Carol Ludwig, executive director, Center for Spiritual Care
Dr. James T. Morris, presiding elder, Central Florida District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Imam Askia Muhammad Aquil
The Rev. Fr. Charles T. Myers, rector, The Episcopal Church of St John the Baptist, Orlando
Rev. Terri Steed Pierce Sr., pastor of Joy Metropolitan Community Church
