Letter asks Gov. Herbert to denounce 'anti-LGBTQ rhetoric' on GOP Rep's Facebook page

Originally posted by KJZZ.com
Written by Adam Forgie

A 19-year-old gay woman, who has already received an apology letter from Utah Governor Gary Herbert, is now asking Herbert, and Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox to denounce statements made on Facebook by a Republican member of the Utah House of Representatives.

The Facebook posts regarding same-sex attraction from Rep. Karianne Lisonbee (R-Clearfield) are now deleted, but not before they were captured and shared on social media.

Lisonbee opposed the bill banning conversion therapy in Utah.

19-year-old Amelia Damarjian protested those opposed to the ban.

Now, Damarjian is asking Herbert and Cox to denounce Lisonbee's "homophobic statements" found on Lisonbee's Facebook page, which were captured in a tweet by Robert Gehrke:

Damarjian already received a letter of apology from Herbert, but she says she doesn't believe it's sincere.

She is asking Herbert and Cox to formally denounce Lisonbee's now-deleted statements.

The letter reads:

March 9 2019

Dear Governor Herbert and Lieutenant Governor Cox,

I would like to formally ask that you condemn pro-conversion therapy and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric from Utah’s elected officials. Most importantly, the words from Representative Karen Lisonbee’s now deleted Facebook posts (see attached photos below).

To not condemn anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, regardless of source, is quite simply a tacit approval of that rhetoric. There is no room for neutrality on this issue -- you either support the rights and humanity of LGBTQ+ Utahns, or you do not.

When those with power do not speak out against this type of discriminatory behavior, it implies that regardless of their personal stance on homophobia, they accept its existence enough to stay silent. Silence on homophobia from all of us, but especially those in high levels of governance, implies that these behaviors are not worth a response, and that the targeted individuals are not worthy of enough respect to defend.

One cannot be an ally of the LGBTQ+ community in their private life but not their public life.
There is no secretive way to support justice. An elected official bears the responsibility of not just personally demonstrating respect to the oppressed, but leading the way for our society by publicly calling for others to do likewise. If one is a friend of the community and cares for their needs, they will demand that others, most especially those holding public office, treat all people with respect.
One cannot be neutral on matters of human rights. In these circumstances, silence is complicity.

Sincerely,

Amelia Damarjian 
@PresidentAmelia
Isaac Reese @isaacslcreese


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