To the editor:

I am taking off all my roles, titles and distinctions. I want to personally talk to you about “The Religious Freedoms Bill.” This legislation makes me feel sad and disheartened. I believe that I work incredibly hard at growing, expanding and creating opportunities for all people in so many different endeavors in Lawrence and the state of Kansas. And because I choose to love (not hate) someone, my government not only wants to make me a second-class citizen, BUT make it OK to deny opportunities to me.

Unless you ever faced that kind of blatant hatred, I am not sure you’d understand the emotional impact that has on someone. I have a pretty thick skin and I know that I am unconditionally loved, so I will be OK. I will go on fighting (even harder) for the rights of others and myself — because I don’t want other people to ever feel the way I am feeling right now. I still firmly believe that understanding and acceptance will ALWAYS be triumphant over fear and ignorance.

I hope you will join me in letting our elected Kansas officials know that I, or any Kansan, shouldn’t be a second-class citizen and opportunities be denied.