Neighbor News
Township Councilman Kevin Sullivan Says No to Equality
If we are to be a welcoming community, our elected officials must have respect for people of all backgrounds.
At the recent Township Committee candidate’s forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters, I asked each of the candidates how they would feel about performing a wedding for a same-sex couple. I asked this because it is my hope that Chatham Township is a welcoming community where all are treated equally. I was pleased that candidate Tracy Ness responded that she would not only be willing to do so but would be quite happy to perform such a ceremony. However, I was deeply troubled by current Councilman, Kevin Sullivan's response to this question.
Kevin Sullivan said that it was his 1st amendment right to express his faith. And that homosexuals have other places than the township to marry. To avoid complying with New Jersey law. which allows for same-sex marriage, Sullivan has decided to not perform any marriages as part of his duties. While this loophole exists, it does not send the right message from an elected official for our town.
This stance is not uncommon for the devout, who may not be willing to bake a cake for a gay couple or to be the clerk issuing marriage certificates for same-sex couples. I may not agree with them, but they do have that choice. However, I believe we should hold our elected officials to a higher standard. Placing your personal religious beliefs above the law is not something we want in our elected officials.
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Sullivan often posts content on his Kevin Sullivan for Chatham Township Facebook page from the Koch Brothers-funded Institute for Faith, Work & Economics which encourages Christians to stop "practicing a separation of faith and work". He said it himself, he is not the kind of person who can put his Sunday beliefs aside when performing his duties on Monday. Therefore, as someone who believes the separation of Church and state is essential for our democracy, I believe that Chatham Township needs to retire Kevin Sullivan and his outdated ideas, and replace him with Tracy Ness who will respect the rights of all of us in the Township.
Webster Lewin
Gates Ave.
Chatham Township