Pennsylvania's three United Methodist bishops put the church's weight behind proposed laws to protect gay and transgender people from discrimination in areas including employment, housing and obtaining services from businesses.

Moreover, they stressed that all Christians are obligated to stand up for the rights of gay and transgender people, and should not judge them. The United Methodist Church has 500,000 people in Pennsylvania and 11 million overall.

The bishops specifically asked United Methodist business owners to end discrimination against gay and transgender employees and customers, and to treat them with "the same love, respect and hospitality that Jesus offered to all he encountered."

The bishops released a letter stating their position. "It is long past time to acknowledge that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have experienced routine discrimination because of who they are," the letter states.

It is signed by Bishops Jeremiah J. Park of the Susquehanna Conference, Peggy A. Johnson of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and Thomas J. Bickerton of the Western Pennsylvania Conference.

The bishops made their announcement at the historic Grace United Methodist Church on State Street near the Capitol in Harrisburg at a gathering attended by gay and transgender people, advocates and religious leaders from other denominations.

Many of the people at the gathering planned, later on Wednesday, to go to the Capitol to speak to individual legislators and argue for legislation that would outlaw discrimination toward gay and transgender people.

Speakers on Wednesday said there is a strong and growing movement among people of faith and the general public to end such discrimination.

Rabbi Carl Choper said he is troubled by people who use the term "liberty" to disguise attitudes, actions and policies which discriminate against gay and transgender people. "Let's strike a blow for freedom," he said.

Caiden Fratangelo, a transgender man, called it "enlightening and inspiring" to hear the religious leaders speak up for the rights of gay and transgender people.

, said she hears from transgender people across the state who live in fear of losing their job or being evicted, and discrimination poses a barrier to having a financially secure and successful life.

"I am thankful for the support form the United Methodist Bishops and from many faith communities including my own," said Carroll, a member of the leadership committee at First Reformed Church of Christ in Lancaster. "I hope that together we can persuade our leaders in Harrisburg to end discrimination for all people."

Ted Martin, the director of Equality PA, said most Pennsylvania residents don't realize it is still legal to discriminate against gay and transgender people in the areas of work, housing and obtaining services from businesses.

Martin's organization and others have been pushing bills in the state House and Senate for about eight years. Since the bills didn't pass in the past, they must be reintroduced in the recently begun legislative session.

On Wednesday, Martin expressed great optimism, saying that bipartisan support is growing, as is support among the general public. "The numbers are building. The support is out there," he said.