Opinion: We can outlaw discrimination against LGBTQ Americans and protect religious freedom
Christian faith and LGBTQ equality are often presented as if they are opposed, but this is not accurate. Jesus, in what we call his Great Commandment, commands us to love God and our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:28-34 and Matthew 22:35-40). In this, and in other places in Scripture, he teaches us and commands us to open our hearts to every person.
As I assume the role of the 10th bishop of the Episcopal Church of Iowa and first woman to hold that position, one of my hopes is to bring our state closer to God’s vision of open hearted justice and freedom for all, as expressed by Jesus. I believe every human being is beloved of God and that our laws should reflect this.
In the Episcopal Church we embrace and celebrate the lives of our LGBTQ members. LGBTQ persons are welcomed into every level of church participation in our denomination, including leadership.
Across the nation people of faith actively support federal nondiscrimination protections, including here in Iowa where more than 100 Iowa faith leaders, myself included, have called on Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would update civil rights law to protect LGBTQ Americans.
The Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, in our 2019 Convention, passed a resolution supporting the Equality Act, asking that it be reintroduced to Congress. It has been reintroduced since then, and now we urge Congress to pass it.
More: Opinion: My journey from anti-gay activist to LGBTQ ally
I understand that good willed people of faith might feel conflicted on this issue and perhaps worry that the Equality Act could undermine their freedom to exercise their faith. As a Christian, religious freedom is important to me too, and I am grateful that as Americans we are free to practice our traditions in the ways we believe God calls us to.
The Equality Act won’t limit or change our freedom, it simply updates federal law to include protection for 13 million LGBTQ people, fellow Americans, in daily life, including non-discrimination in housing, public spaces, and federally funded programs. Across the country, over three-quarters of Americans favor LGBTQ protections, according to surveys.
This legislation is critical because 50% of LGBTQ people live in states without laws explicitly prohibiting discrimination against them. While in 2007 the Iowa Legislature passed a law protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination in housing, employment, and public spaces, the law does not guarantee consistent protections; when LGBTQ Iowans travel into neighboring states like Nebraska and South Dakota, they are still vulnerable. The Equality Act would help protect them from this variation between states.
Want more opinions? Read other perspectives with our free newsletter, follow us on Facebook or visit us at DesMoinesRegister.com/Opinion. Respond to any opinion by submitting a Letter to the Editor at DesMoinesRegister.com/Letters.
In my tradition we promise to respect the dignity of every human being at our baptism, and when we renew baptismal vows. It’s my hope that our senators will work with their colleagues on both sides of the aisle toward passage of a federal LGBTQ nondiscrimination law that uplifts this respect and is supported by Americans of all parties and faiths.
The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot is the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa.
TO READERS: Because of a production error by the Register, a different version of this essay was published on Jan. 15. The essay above is the correct version.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Opinion: We can outlaw discrimination and protect religious freedom
