Equal Protection is Not Equal Protection if it doesn't Protect Equally

 

And so we end Pride Month in a year where it is literally open season on LGBTQ people in our nation with another SCOTUS decision chipping away at the ideal that the equal protection guaranteed by the Constitution to all Americans equally protects LGBTQ Americans.

To paraphrase Bishop Barbara — who famously said “there’s no such thing as half-assed baptized” — there is no such thing as half-assed equal protection. So regardless of the majority opinion of the Supreme Court packed with social conservatives by the twice impeached, indicted former President, there remains a distinct and definitive difference between the First Amendment protection of the freedom to exercise religion and the freedom to weaponize religion to assault the equal protection of those who believe differently than you do.

And yes ... it is exhausting to continue to have your life, your relationship, your family and your equal protection a subject of ongoing debate. So it might be a good week to offer the LGBTQ folk in your lives a little extra TLC. And if you’re part of the rainbow tribe to offer yourself a little self-care. Because clearly la lucha continua. And there are miles to go before we rest and -- for the record -- we will not rest until we finally become a nation where liberty and justice for all is not just a pledge we make but a reality we live.