The city that elected a lesbian mayor with a city council that passed an equal rights ordinance, turned tail and rejected the ordinance in a referendum Tuesday. With the interjection of the Republican Lt. Governor into municipal politics and the outrageous ads predicting male sex offenders would invade women’s bathrooms, the appeals to ignorance and bigotry against transgender people was revealed for the nation to see. Even more ironic, progressive bond issues passed in the city, county, and surrounding communities. Clearly the ads were the deciding factor.

We not only have freedom of religion in this country, we have freedom from religion. According to her oath of office, she certifies that the records are accurate and maintained in proper order. She does not certify that she personally approves of the records or endorses them. If as a matter of conscience, she believes that she cannot fulfill the duties of her office, then she should resign. That is her right, but she does not have the right to choose what law she will or will not obey. If everyone did that, the entire legal system would collapse.

In spite of all the controversy over the slogan “Black Lives Matter,” it is apparent even in a quick review of the daily news that people of color in America do not receive justice either from the police or our judicial system. I would not belittle the efforts to bring attention to this national problem that requires immediate corrections, but I would add a note of another minority group that often is overlooked in the criminal justice system.