Mar 2, 2012
DAMESTOWN, MD—Responding to what he calls, “the demands of my constituents,” US Representative Bill Deamer (MD-9th district) introduced legislation today that would amend the Civil Rights Act to include protections for gay and lesbian people in the United States.
For the second time in a week, someone in his state was publicly denied communion by the Catholic Church. Earlier this week, Maryland gained national attention when a lesbian was denied communion at her mother’s Catholic funeral mass. Now, Charlotte Ledderer, a transsexual prostitute, has been denied the Eucharist on her birthday because of her lifestyle. This reignited outrage at the Catholic Church, and especially at the priests who refused to let them participate.
“All I wanted was to enjoy my right to communion on my birthday, and for the church to deny that to me—especially on that day, and just because I’m different—makes me feel psychologically traumatized. I was deeply offended by the church’s decision to engage in these sort of prejudicial and discriminatory tactics. I think I understand a little bit better what [Rosa] Parks went through now.”
Ledderer received support from LGBT communities throughout the world, and even among those who don’t identify themselves among the LGBT groups.
“It was very encouraging to get all that support,” she said, but she denies being a hero. “People have likened me to Rosa Parks, but I just wanted a cracker. I understand the connection, but I think her situation was a little worse.” Nevertheless, she felt emboldened enough after the widespread support to contact her representative. “For the first time, I felt like I could do something with my voice,” she said, “I would have been foolish not to use it and the thousands in support of me.”
Rep. Deamer said he sees this as “an acceptable opportunity” to introduce legislation he and his caucus have been pushing for years. “It has always been my opinion that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 needs to be altered to include language that protects our gay and lesbian communities.”
But these Catholic conflicts illuminated more problems, Deamer said. “It has always been apparent that discrimination goes beyond the language in the Civil Rights Act; but these girls’ courage shed some light on a larger picture, where discrimination—of any kind—has not been eradicated, and, in my opinion is actually promoted.”
In a town hall meeting with his constituents, Deamer spiritedly told them, “Currently, Title II of the Civil Rights Act says that ‘All persons shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, and privileges, advantages, and accommodations of any place of public accommodation … without discrimination or segregation on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin.’
“What Title II doesn’t include obviously is ‘sexual orientation.’ But also, it only defines ‘places of public accommodation’ as hotels, restaurants, gas stations, theaters, stadiums, and the like. It does not include churches. My legislation will not only change the language to provide LoGBuTters the same protections, but it will also extend the language to prohibit churches from practicing discrimination of any kind. And, in Charlotte’s case, communion clearly falls into the category of ‘full and equal enjoyment of goods.'”
When asked if churches could really be considered public institutions, Rep. Deamer did not hesitate in his response. “Of course they can. The idea that they can’t is ridiculous. Look, churches do not pay taxes like the rest of us. Since the government does not require them give a fair portion of their income, it could easily be said that they are actually being subsidized by taxpayer money. That makes them extremely public.”
But what about separation of church and State?
“First of all—and my saying this should actually please the other side—’separation of church and State’ doesn’t actually exist in the constitution. What the constitution clearly says is the Congress shall not prohibit the ‘free exercise of religion,’ and the establishment clause simply says that we can’t make a law declaring a national church. No one is telling these people what to believe, and no one is creating a national church. What this bill does is prohibit discriminatory actions, not beliefs. Just as restaurant owners may not personally like atheists, but they are prohibited from refusing service to them.”
Charlotte Ledderer is encouraged by Deamer’s actions. “Do I think it’ll pass? I don’t know. But I’m just glad to see someone finally standing up for people’s rights. If the church offers communion to one group, they should offer it to everybody. If they offer salvation to one person, they should also save everybody. I’m pretty sure that’s what Jesus would do anyway.”
Rep. Deamer also acknowledges a long road ahead for this legislation, but he doesn’t think he is over-reaching. “Look. We’re still letting churches keep their taxes. They don’t have to pay us a dime. The bottom line is it’s time to end discrimination everywhere. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”
