Hold our leaders accountable

This letter is in response to the Dec. 4 article “Sharpsburg Borough Rejects Anit-discrimination Ordinance.”

This was never a story about passing an ordinance. If it were, then the last several months might make sense. It might make sense that an informed borough council worked hard to craft a meaningful Human Rights Ordinance that would protect, not only LGBTQIA citizens, but all people. But those of us who’ve been paying attention for the last few months and who have seen the video record of the council meetings since the ordinance was introduced know differently.

So what is the story? An ordinance was introduced with the overwhelming support from stakeholders, and failed to pass after months of discussion, during which, the four “no” voters offered no meaningful feedback or alternative drafts. Their positions are clear from the recorded zoom meetings, available on the borough website. You can watch the evolution of excuses ranging from “we don’t need this kind of law,” to “we want to pass an ordinance, but the words aren’t right.”

Why? Because this was never about phantom legal concerns or finding magic words. This was about the discomfort that comes with recognizing change and the self actualization required for true leadership. Passing a law that helps all people enjoy basic protections is not a radical or political idea. It’s a way to preserve the principles that some people claim have always been true. So, why was there so much contention? Watch the videos and decide for yourself.

This story is about demanding more of our elected leaders, and how three council members understand that we can no longer accept institutions of racism and heteronormativity. Engage. Hold your leaders accountable when they vote against equality, equity and inclusion. Sharpsburg is for everyone. Even if it always had been, now we have an ordinance to ensure that it always will be. That is the real story.