HomeMy WebLinkAboutNon-Discrimination Public Comment from Anthony and Patrick Hessman 5-12-14From:Patrick Hessman
To:Agenda
Subject:Nondiscrimination Ordinance Support
Date:Thursday, May 08, 2014 11:05:50 PM
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen of the City Commission,
I am writing you today to urge your support for the proposed city-wide non-discrimination ordinance, as a citizen of Bozeman living at 404 South 11th Avenue, who has lived and worked in this wonderful city for several years now. I am proud that you represent this city,
you have been incredibly generous in my previous interactions with you, and hope will you
would take my input into consideration for this very important issue.
My support for this ordinance boils down to a simple principle: I believe all people,
regardless of sexual orientation or gender identification, deserve to be treated as equals
and valued citizens of society and the city of Bozeman. As laws currently stand now, gay, lesbian, and transgender persons can be denied housing or employment simply because of a part of their identities they were born with. It is an exciting opportunity for Bozeman to
join Missoula, Helena, and Butte in stepping up to support equality in Montana.
I implore that you not be swayed by those who would cry religious freedoms would be infringed upon by such an ordinance. It is a frightening prospect to think Bozeman would
continue to allow institutionalized discrimination in the name of religion. It seems odd that
those who oppose this ordinance would neglect Jesus’s teachings of love and tolerance, which is one of my many reasons for supporting the ordinance.
I thank you for a moment of your time to read this letter. I also thank you for taking the
time to draft and consider this ordinance. It is my sincerest hope that this letter will help in your decision-making process.
Best regards,
Patrick V. Hessman
-- Patrick V. Hessman(406) 853-69899www.patrickvhessman.com