To the Editor:

As members of the Reconciling Conversation Group of First United Methodist Church of Waynesville, we are striving to bring healing and reconciliation to our church family and the wider community by exhibiting love and acceptance for all persons regardless of sexual orientation and gender identities. The spirit of Jesus commands no less.

Thus, we are deeply concerned that:

• The recently passed law known as HB2 has deeply hurt and offended our LGBTQ members who are our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ.

• HB2 exhibits a total lack of medical knowledge and scientific understanding as to what it means to be a transgender person in today’s society. Without adequate investigation of the facts about transgender persons, it inflames our fear and mistrust of others.

• HB2 is a denial of basic human rights.

• HB2 ignores the precedent set by 19 states, the District of Columbia, and over 200 cities and countries that have passed laws, without incident, prohibiting discrimination against transgender persons in public facilities. We know of no cases of transgressions or offensive behavior occurring because of these laws.

• HB2 denies legal recourse to all persons who have experienced discrimination of any sort.

We need to construct laws that enable all of us to live together in mutual understanding, trust and respect. HB2 stands in the way of this need. As followers of Jesus Christ who showed unconditional love to all persons, we strongly urge that this law be repealed.

For the group: Betsy Hardin, Kenneth Johnson, Douglas Wingeier, William Everett, Jim Hoyt