I read the story about the decorative rainbow “bombs” that were put on trees around Sandpoint to brighten things up for the winter. I work in Ponderay, so I have an interest in what goes on in Bonner County. I am a lesbian, so my first thought on why they were defaced in less than 24 hours, was that the person(s) who took them down thought they were the representations of the “gay flag” which is rainbow colored.

Still, in this country, there is anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) sentiment. There is a growing population of LGBT persons in rural areas. So, it’s not just some far-off city anymore. Is it that hard to give us equal rights? We are humans like you.

Some homophobic people believe their religion is right and they force it on LGBT people, believing we should die because of our lifestyle.

Learn to be tolerant and inclusive. We’re queer and we’re here.

SOPHIA SAREMBER

Newport