After reading both the letter to the editor by Ron Vieselmeyer in Sunday's paper, and the My Turn column by Pastor Stuart W. Bryan, of Trinity Church, I will not be silent any longer. Both parties represent that any LGBTQ individual chooses as they develop in life. Being LGBTQ is not a choice, you may do your own research, and it is how each person is coded with DNA from conception.

Mr. Vieselmeyer and Pastor Bryan appear unaware of the injustice done to these human beings, the prejudice and bigotry LGBTQ endure daily. Their hope is to be treated like a human being with equal rights with all other human beings. Again, being LGBTQ is not a choice, it is how each person is coded with DNA from conception.

The exclusion of the words Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity allows for outright discrimination in employment, housing, and several other human rights that Pastor Bryan and Mr. Vieselmeyer take completely for granted. For Mr. Vieselmeyer, to suggest that these are not civil rights that LGBTQ must be treated as equal to you and me, is inconsistent with the heritage that was fought for by Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King. This is self-serving at all levels. Both these men gave their lives to and for ALL human beings and ALL their civil rights.

It is an odd twist for Pastor Bryan to suggest, using Martin Luther King's words, "Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed." And then suggest that religion is the oppressed. I do not know of a better time to address the oppressed, LGBTQ, as Mr. Gandhi and Mr. King would have added the words Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity if any human being were being oppressed.

If Mr. Vieselmeyer and Pastor Bryan are suggesting that their religious beliefs stand above ALL the civil rights of each citizen of this country, I suggest they respect their personal religious beliefs, as I do, and keep them to themselves or at least within their chosen house of worship. Spouting scripture as if it represents the law of the land is inconsistent with what our Constitution stands for: the right of all men and women to "...Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." This includes everything, all the rights we all value - freedom of religion; freedom of speech; employment; to live where one chooses; to love the person one chooses, and to marry them; to have a family; and to pursue happiness. These are all rights that each of us espouse. LGBTQ are discriminated against for being who they are.

It is my sincere hope that the state of Idaho will be ahead of the curve protecting the civil rights of ALL Idahoans. It is that simple.

Ralph Shay is a Coeur d'Alene resident.