My Unedited Editorial for the April 13, 2016 Herald Palladium

Politicians in Lansing are in the middle of another debate about the rights of LGBTQ folks.  The State Board of Education has introduced a proposed “Guidance on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Students.”  The proposed guidance would not be mandatory only suggested.

One legislator from the U.P. has offered his contrary opinion on the State Board’s guidance.   Escanaba Republican Sen. Tom Casperson has proposed legislation which among other things requires transgender people “to use the bathroom matching the sex on their birth certificates in government buildings and schools.”

Before I offer my own opinions on this matter, let me say that I understand that folks may have sincere, and sometimes widely different, religious beliefs on this matter.   Rev. Roger Williams, who founded the Baptist Church in this country and also the State of Rhode Island, once said:

“Men’s consciences ought in no sort to be violated, urged or constrained.”

Yes, there are those who have sincere religious beliefs on both sides.  Still, a line must be drawn somewhere and this is where I draw mine:

I happen to sit on the Executive Council of a national ministry of my denomination.  In fact, as Treasurer of the council, I guess I am also an officer.  There are a wide variety of folks on the council from all over the country.  A majority of the council members are priests or priest wannabees.  I jokingly have said that is to keep those of us who are “civilians” in line.

Our Chaplain for the council is retired Bishop Gene Robinson.  Earlier this month, I met Bishop Robinson at one or our semi-annual meetings in Dallas, Texas.  Rt. Rev. Robinson seems to me to be a most sincere and congenial fellow.  I am humbled and honored to be on the same council with the man.

You may or may not recall, Rt. Rev. Robinson’s selection as Bishop of New Hampshire was controversial.  He was the first openly gay appointed to the title bishop in the Episcopal Church.

At lunch one day of our meeting, Rt. Rev. Robinson told us about what it was like to be in the center of the whirlwind generated by his promotion to bishop.   Bishop Robinson claimed his own faith helped him through trying times in which he received “daily death threats” by allowing him to believe that one day “he would be in heaven”.

Death threats are not sincerely held religious beliefs.  They are a criminal offense.   As someone who as an amateur has studied world religions, I know of no such religion which as a part of its core beliefs condones hatred.   From the Christian tradition, Francis of Assisi once said:  “Where there is hatred, let me sow love.”  The Golden Rule which is central to most religious beliefs states:  “One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.”

As a retired educator, I have the firm belief that all students should be provided with the opportunity to learn and grow to the best of their abilities.   Essential to that is a safe and respectful learning environment for all students.  In America and Michigan, all students are entitled to a free and appropriate public school education.  College students in our public universities should also have a safe environment regardless of their gender or sexual orientation.

I cannot say whether or not the State Board of Education’s Guidance on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments is the right or best policy or not.  Perhaps, it does need to be tweaked here and there.  But I am concerned and agree with State Board of Education President John Austin’s statement that Rep. Casperson’s bill would be “damaging for young students” and that it could further ostracize LGBTQ students who are at-risk for severe depression and bullying.

So while I respect someone’s sincere religious beliefs which may differ from my own, I do hope that Michiganders and politicians in Lansing can have a respectful discussion on this topic.  And I do hope that such a discussion will center on trying to ensure the safety of all students and in particular vulnerable LGBTQ students and not on making political points in an election year.