Fight LGBTQ bias

To the Times: LGBTQ Pennsylvanians regularly face discrimination in their everyday lives and on the job due to vague laws and the lack of statewide protections. That’s why the recent Supreme Court hearings to determine whether federal law protects LGBTQ people are so important.

I’m proud that the Jewish Reconstructionist movement has openly admitted LGBTQ students to study for the rabbinate since 1984. Early on, we were worried about whether we would be able to place LGBTQ-identified rabbis in predominantly straight congregations. Today we have learned that we have no trouble placing gay and trans rabbis into congregational settings. That same level of acceptance should be enforced throughout our society.

It pains me to think LGBTQ people are not welcomed or protected from discrimination in all areas of their lives. I believe deeply in equal opportunity and inclusion. And holding those values makes it easy to say that we ought to welcome everyone.

I am morally concerned about how we deal with this reality on a national level because I believe we are all created in the image of God. That means every human being has infinite worth. A person’s gender identity or who they love should not affect how they are treated in their place of worship, their workplace, or in their public lives.

Our state lawmakers should pass statewide nondiscrimination protections that cover all LGBTQ Pennsylvanians. And while we do not have these protections on a state level, we must seek them from our federal government and courts. Rabbi David Teutsch, Wyncote