Column was harmful

If a guest columnist submitted an article with biblically based arguments on why a different religion was “neither normal nor acceptable,” would you print it? How about if the proposed article used Bible quotes to promote racism or misogyny? Would you print it anyway, with the simple disclaimer that it is not the view of the newspaper?

Of course you wouldn’t. Even though these arguments are fairly common, you would never use your paper to condone and amplify hatred toward vulnerable minority groups, knowing the harm this hatred has done. Except, apparently, in one instance.

Transgender people are perhaps the most vulnerable minority at the moment. They are victims of violence, murder and suicide at many times the national average. Yet you chose to use your paper to not simply normalize, but also condone and amplify the exact type of hatred, ostracism and dehumanization that leads to these tragedies.

There may be a transgender teen who, right now, is closer to suicide after reading your paper.

You own this. You have no excuse. A full apology is in order, but even that will not be enough to undo the harm that has likely already been done. I am beyond disappointed.

Andrew S. Biviano

Spokane