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To the Editor:
Re “We Can Find Common Ground on Gay Rights and Religious Liberty,” by Jonathan Rauch and Peter Wehner (Op-Ed, nytimes.com, June 22):
Now that L.G.B.T.Q. workers cannot be fired simply because of who we are, Mr. Rauch and Mr. Wehner claim that Congress must pass “new safeguards” for those who seek exemptions from the nondiscrimination law based on religion.
True, there is tension between our country’s promise of equality and some religious beliefs. But that conflict is not new, and the solution to it already exists.
When the Civil Rights Act of 1964 banned race discrimination, some business owners objected. The law included religious exemptions in some contexts, but not for public-facing businesses like restaurants.
The Supreme Court declined to create a new exemption in 1968, leaving intact the balance struck in the Civil Rights Act. The Equality Act wouldn’t change that.
What it would do is expressly protect L.G.B.T.Q. people under federal law. The true source of today’s debate is not religious liberty but opposition to full L.G.B.T.Q. equality.
Ria Tabacco Mar
Brooklyn
The writer is the director of the A.C.L.U. Women’s Rights Project and a lawyer for Aimee Stephens and Don Zarda, whose cases were decided as part of the recent Supreme Court ruling.
To the Editor:
Jonathan Rauch and Peter Wehner got it right. It really doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Between the Equality Act and the Fairness for All Act, there is plenty of room to find common ground and meet in the middle. The L.G.B.T.Q. and conservative faith communities — which overlap in myriad ways and places — have been in a bitter stalemate for too long. The endless cycle of inconclusive litigation needs to end.
The partisans on the far ends of the spectrum need to stop fueling bitterness, get out of the way and let those who truly value L.G.B.T.Q. equality and religious liberty take over and work toward resolution.
James Lamkin
Atlanta
The writer is senior pastor at the Northside Drive Baptist Church.
Generation Z: Challenges and Preoccupations
To the Editor:
Re “Gen Z Will Not Save Us,” by Charlie Warzel (Opinion, June 23):
As a high school counselor, I spend the majority of my time with teenagers who plan to vote in the presidential election. Their message is clear: They face huge economic, health and climate challenges in their adult lives and don’t have time for partisan politics. They want the most qualified and smartest minds focused on solutions.
My students don’t care where these solutions come from as long as they are sound, effective and ensure a future that is livable for them and their children. They don’t expect to be rich; they just want to survive this political, economic and climate mess and feel that if adults won’t or can’t lead, they will do it because their future actually does depend on it. And, Mr. President, they plan to vote green.
Valerie Feit
Mamaroneck, N.Y.
To the Editor:
My New York City school has never been more adamant in demanding change. There’s an Instagram account to call out racist incidents; students are drafting institutional demands; and practically all of my friends have either marched with or donated to Black Lives Matter.
But since I’ve relocated temporarily to the suburbs of Long Island, to my old town, I’ve noticed that only a few of my high-school peers actively support Black Lives Matter. Students get together not to protest but to throw parties. Most simply don’t care about activism.
I agree with Charlie Warzel. Many people, including me, have a skewed view of Generation Z. A very active, small group of young people is prominently featured in news sources and gains attention on social media, but we underestimate how many teenagers remain silent in the background.
Until we’re of age to vote, I can’t say to what extent my generation is different from those who came before, or if we’re repeating the actions, or lack thereof, of our parents and grandparents.
Talia Winiarsky
Woodmere, N.Y.
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June 28, 2020 at 11:04PM
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Can We Reach a Consensus on Gay Rights and Religion? - The New York Times
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