This letter was published by the Columbus Dispatch here

Throughout the Christian gospels, Jesus preached a message about God’s expansive loving community.

In Matthew 19, Jesus proclaims, ‘let the children come to me,’ because these kids understood that God’s love didn’t care about your religious standing, wealth, or societal norms.

These kids just wanted to play and have fun. Sadly, there are lawmakers in Ohio that want to ban the right of kids to play as their authentic selves.

I am discouraged by legislative proposals such as House Bill 151 that deny our trans and non-binary youth the opportunity to play sports.

While many Ohio children play sports at some point growing up, most aren’t competing for state championships, records, or scholarships.

Kids join teams to be a part of a community and have fun. House Bill 151 replaces love with bureaucracy, it replaces compassion with big government.

We should welcome these children, because God already has.

Deacon Nick Bates,
director of the Hunger Network in Ohio