Re “No hero” editorial, Sept. 10-12 edition:

Thank you for the editorial, “No hero,” in reference to Kim Davis, the clerk of Rowan, Ky., who refuses to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples because of her religious convictions.

While some have compared to her to Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we found those connections insulting and based on total ignorance.

Ironically, in the midst of this controversy, we partnered with the Virginia Historical Society for the airing of “Brother Outsider,” a documentary about the life of Bayard Rustin, the openly gay friend and adviser to Dr. King. During his prolific civil rights crusade, in 1956, Mr. Rustin was a main consultant to Dr. King regarding the public transportation boycott in Montgomery, Ala. He also was a founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and a chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington.

In Kentucky, history is repeating itself. This is the same type of resistance that many used to deny the rights of African-Americans following the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Many used and still use their Bibles as a means to justify racial discrimination.

Ms. Davis can preach in the streets that homosexuals are going to hell and I will be the first to defend her right to do so. But Ms. Davis is an elected official. To try and use her faith as a means to discriminate is absolutely wrong.

Thank you, Richmond Free Press, for once again speaking out against injustice.

BILL HARRISON

Richmond

The writer is president and executive director of Diversity Richmond.