USA TODAY

Ryan T. Anderson and Robert P. George, in their New Year’s Day column Decade in review: Marital norms erode, seem determined to re-litigate the marriage equality movement and more. They fantasied “harms” of married same-sex couples to justify diverse anti-LGBTQ activity, especially condemning transgender youth to an adolescence, if not a lifetime, of misery.

Anderson and George, like many in the anti-LGBTQ movement, assert there is “targeting” of bakers, florists and others operating businesses who claim a religious license to discriminate when choosing customers. (For an example of religion being used to excuse harm to LGBTQ people in public spaces, click here.) No one compels these business owners to choose these particular areas of commerce and urge customers to buy their goods or services. Religious freedom never gave businesses special rights to discriminate before. That mustn’t change for LGBTQ Americans.

Near the end of their column, Anderson and George, surprisingly, write that, “all of us, including those identifying as LGBT, are made in God’s image, are endowed with profound dignity and thus deserve respect.” We agree.

Rachel and Laurel Bowman-Cryer, clients of Lambda Legal (an organization that fights for the rights of LGBTQ people) decided to marry to reinforce for their adoptive special-needs daughters the commitment and stability of their home. But their joy in wedding planning was shattered by Aaron and Melissa Klein of Grisham, Oregon. They refused service for the Bowman-Cryer family at their bakery called Sweet Cakes by Melissa, citing religious beliefs. The bakery owners also made public appearances and comments that prompted social media backlash against the couple — one that has lasted years after the initial incident. Rachel and Laurel have been harassed viciously on social media, and sent hate mail and death threats.

And still, members of the LGBTQ community lack comprehensive, nondiscrimination protections nationwide.

Either everyone is “made in God’s image,” including LGBTQ folks of all ages, or Anderson’s and George’s concept of “God’s image” is only skin deep.

Jennifer C. Pizer; law and policy director

Lambda Legal

Los Angeles, Calif.

On Jan. 1, USA TODAY's Opinion section posted a column headlined Decade in review: Marital norms erode, by Ryan T. Anderson and Robert P. George. Many USA TODAY readers likely don't know that Anderson and George have built careers fighting against rights and protections for LGBTQ families like mine. Readers deserve to know that before taking their false claims about same-sex couples at face value.

In their column, the authors could have lamented that in 2018, the number of hate crimes against transgender people rose by an alarming 34%, according to FBI data. Instead, the writers complained that the public at large has learned more about the reality of transgender people’s lives, and are acting in accordance to let transgender people become full active members of society.

Anderson and George could have shown concern for LGBTQ people still frightened to come out at work, knowing that they can be fired from their jobs in an overwhelming number of states for revealing they are LGBTQ. Instead, they scapegoated these same people for what they see as a “moral erosion” in a society that’s long ago moved beyond antiquated world views.

Anderson and George make no new claims in their column. In fact, they fall back on the same tired claims they have made in the past. Anderson has stated that gay rights are "make believe" and that "same-sex marriage is only plausible in a world that has already done so much damage to marriage and human sexuality." George helped draft the Manhattan Declaration, a manifesto signed by select religious leaders that speaks out against marriage equality.

These claims are nothing new and USA TODAY's readers deserve the whole story.

Sarah Kate Ellis; president and CEO

GLAAD

New York, N.Y.