The Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, HB 5170.

Since when do people of the 21st century need to be told by anyone, especially a "person of God," that "All people of goodwill and especially Christ's faithful committed to my (The Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton, Bishop of Belleville) personal care in the Diocese of Belleville, should oppose this bill and make our opinions known to our representatives?

It is time for the Roman Catholic Church to get its head out of the sand and act as Jesus did and call for equality and justice for all.

My sincere appreciation to the Illinois Senate, which voted for the freedom to marry for all people. The quest for justice for all does not stop there, however. Our elected representatives can only make decisions based on the wishes of the public that they represent. It is our privilege and responsibility to make our voices heard.

This is not a matter of religion, any religion, it is a right of personhood to be the person we were born to be regardless of individual differences.

I support, in all goodwill, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act (HB 5170) and I made my opinion known to my representative. http://www.ilga.gov/house/.

Anne Harter

Belleville