Representative Paul Shepherd,
I am requesting that you join LGBT community member Chelsea Gaona Lincoln in a town-hall style forum to discuss the issue of being gay in Idaho. I realize you have some very strong opinions regarding the LGBT community, and it would be helpful to me if I could more fully understand those opinions. I also think a forum may help alleviate some of your fears of the LGBT community.
Please join Ms. Lincoln. I believe it will benefit everybody involved.
Paul Shepherd is the primary sponsor of a bill that urges Congress to impeach judges who rule in favor of marriage equality. During a March 17 committee hearing he made a bizarre reference to slavery before saying he feels personally threatened by gay marriage describing it as something, "very immoral and very serious to the future of our families and our traditional society."
There is no need for this irrational fear. All empirical evidence shows marriage equality does not threaten American families.
It is our hope that a face-to-face meeting with Chelsea Gaona Lincoln may assuage Rep. Shepherd of some of his fear and anger.
