Anti-discrimination laws are necessary to protect us all

Anti-discrimination laws are necessary to protect us all

Date published: 3/9/2005

In her letter ["Gays should bide their time until Virginia laws change," Feb. 20], Lora Tolliver wrote that gays "can shop, eat, use restrooms, vote, sit anywhere on the bus, earn a good living, and so on. The only thing they are not allowed to do is get married."

As the mother of four, one a gay son, I know that in more than 30 states, none of the above is required by law. Gays can be refused housing, jobs, or accommodation in a restaurant legally.

Until gays can legally get married, more and more will try to become straight by marrying someone of the opposite sex. It won't work--as the thousands of couples who find themselves seeking help from the Straight Spouse Network each year discover.

By the time these marriages dissolve, often children are involved. Wouldn't it be better to send a message to our society that no one need hide who they truly are in order to be happy?

Support anti-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation. After all, you don't have to be gay to be fired for your sexual orientation. You could be suspected of such, or be fired by a gay employer because you are straight.

Wendy Wartes

Woodinville, Wash.

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Date published: 3/9/2005