The Erie Times News ran my letter to the editor today in response to the previous letter complaining about the Pennsylvania House Bill 1400 hearing held here last month.
Lawmaker, paper prompt defense
Published: November 08. 2007 6:00AM
In response to S.J. Sullivan's letter about the hearing for Pennsylvania House Bill 1400 (Erie Times-News, Oct. 27), which would amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to include discrimination involving sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, I do wish the Erie Times-News had covered this important event.
But I also think the Times-News has done a fairly good job of covering news and issues related to the gay community.
I would like to defend state Rep. Babette Josephs, who chaired the meeting. Josephs was unfairly criticized regarding the issue of audience members asking questions of those giving testimony. Several people, including myself, had already spoken and did not have to answer questions. As much as I think Diane Gramley, of the American Family Association, is wrong about this issue and presents questionable "facts," I don't think it would have been fair to change the rules midstream and compel her to answer questions from the audience when no one else did.
I believe the bill needs to be passed. I also believe those opposed to it will prove to be their own worst enemies. I also believe that when the rules have been set for how people give testimony, they need to be applied equally to everyone, even those with whom we disagree.
Mike Mahler
Erie
I do feel that Rep. Josephs did the right thing. Actually, hearings are a different sort of interaction than open discussion/town meetings.
Leave a comment