To the editor:

On Tuesday, Feb. 6, my wife and I attended the Kansas Senate committee hearing on SB 163, which would add “sexual orientation” to the Kansas anti-discrimination statute. Scott Rothschild’s article in the Feb. 7 Journal-World captures the essence of the hearing.

The article notes state Rep. Janice Pauls’ opposition. Her arguments are noteworthy for their denial of the realities of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered.

¢ “Kansans with strong religious beliefs should not be forced to hire a homosexual.” Pauls suggests that gay men and lesbian women do not deserve protections from blatant discrimination when one shares the religious beliefs of Fred Phelps, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and a host of other anti-gay religious zealots.

¢ “Those of a different sexual orientation should not be a protected class such as blacks because blacks have no choice in their color.” Pauls resorts to well-known arguments, heralded by the same Christian evangelicals, that homosexuals can simply change their choice.

¢ “Those of a different orientation are not visible in our society unless they choose to be.” Does the representative believe lesbian women and gay men should never be seen with their special friend or companion? That parents of gay children should train them never to reveal to anyone who they really are?

It was good to hear another committee member focus on the justice and fairness issues. There was not a hint of either justice or fairness in Rep. Pauls’ testimony.

Forrest Swall,

Lawrence