Dear Senator Mike Johnson and Governor Bobby Jindal,

Following suit with other complaints about the proposed Marriage and Conscience Act, such as those from IBM and the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, our editorial board would like to express a few grievances against this bill that purports to protect and defend “religious freedom,” but first and foremost justifies the discrimination of one of the most vulnerable populations in our state — our already unprotected LGBT community — and secondarily grants legal tolerance to intolerant behavior.

Considering the fact that sexual orientation is not a protected classification in Louisiana, our editorial board is uncertain why lawmakers are pushing for legislation that further disenfranchises the LGBT community from legal protection against discrimination, particularly when faced with our failing education system and various other more pertinent legislative issues.

This bill does not protect anyone’s interests except those who are already situated in a privileged position. This is clearly an instance of the “tyranny of the mob” — when the majority populace bullies and oppresses an already vulnerable minority.

Granting someone amnesty from legal responsibility and repercussions should they be found guilty of discriminating against or marginalizing gay couples will not contribute to a “more respectful, diverse, and peaceful society.” It is not noble, just or egalitarian. It is bigotry bastardizing the principle of freedom.

It is important that you recognize your duty to keep matters of the church and the state entirely separate. This obligation includes ensuring that you do not privilege the rights of religious persons above those of the secular citizens of your state. Everyone must be free and legally protected from discrimination and the violation of their constitutional rights.

It is not the state’s responsibility to protect one’s right to prejudice and narrow-minded chauvinism, nor is it within the purview of their duties to draft legal loopholes that privilege bigots who are unwilling to contribute to a more peaceful, welcome and open society due to their personal beliefs regarding other citizens’ personal and separate lives.

Whenever these interests get convoluted and conflated, problems arise. We are certain that if we all reflect hard enough, we can conjure examples of other failed instances where governments have imposed religious tenets on public and private aspects of everyday life. In other parts of the world, this conflation of the church and state is known as sharia law.

Louisiana has a very bad track record when it comes to issues like protection from discrimination and granting all citizens equal rights. As we move further into the 21st century, our editorial board proposes that it would be wise to learn from the mistakes of our past and use such lessons to stop positioning ourselves on the wrong side of history.

Consider your position and your duty as civil servants. Your constituents are pleading with you to recognize what a grave mistake passing this bill would be.

Sincerely and truthfully yours,