Thank you, Editor Rob Curley, for your essay in Sunday’s paper: “Shocking column needed context.” Indeed, Hayden Bible Church Senior Pastor Steve Massey’s column in Saturday’s paper, “Transgenderism neither normal nor acceptable,” was shocking. It was also mean and hurtful. So I was heartened to read your follow-up the very next day.

Massey notes that a staggering 41 percent of trans or gender non-conforming people surveyed have attempted suicide. One of the reasons for this sad statistic is that people like Massey reject, bully, humiliate and inflict deep emotional pain through their hurtful attitudes and words. And for a pastor to do this in the name of God’s word, is shameful. Being transgender is acceptable. Denial of this reality and rejection of this class of society is not.

Dana Freeborn

Spokane