Last night Mike and I were talking about the news. This isn’t something new for us. We’re news people. We talk about the news all the time. But last night our discussion was prompted by the Trump administration rolling back federal protections for transgender students. My first thought was: why? Why would anyone want to do this? Who are they serving by making a choice like this? Who are they helping by withdrawing these protections? Certainly, they aren’t helping these kids. Certainly, they aren’t protecting these children who already have a tough road to walk. This is petty, mean and totally despicable.

This morning when I woke, word from the movie “A Few Good Men” kept running through my head. It’s at the end of the movie when the Marines were given dishonorable discharges for their role in Santiago’s death.

Downey: What did we do wrong? We did nothing wrong!

Dawson: Yeah, we did. We were supposed to fight for people who couldn't fight for themselves. We were supposed to fight for Willy.

We're supposed to fight for those who can’t fight. We're supposed to protect those who need protecting. As a mother, a Christian and an American I feel a responsibility to serve and protect everyone, especially those who have been marginalized or can’t fight for themselves. Don’t think you can stand behind the banner of religion or God and say you’re doing the right thing. You’re not. The God I know and love taught me that I have no right to judge, but rather have been commanded to love.

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” (John 13:34)

I call bullshit on your policies being driven by your Christian beliefs. You don’t get to pick and choose which commandments you follow. And in the end, if someone else isn't adhering to what you think are proper Christian values, it’s none of your business … that’s between them and the Lord.

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” (Matthew 7:1-3)

Your job is to love them without judgment. That’s it. You don’t get to say what is right for me or anyone else. You don’t get to tell us we’re living a wicked life. Judging us is as much a sin as whatever it is you think we’re doing “wrong.” Mind your own business. Mind your own home. And live with love and compassion for others.

Twenty years from now I do not want to look back at these times and know I didn’t do anything. I will speak out even if it’s in discord with my family and friends. I will march. I will strike. I will write letters to my representatives. I will vote. I will volunteer. I will support and advocate for those who need our help. I will donate to causes. And I will boycott establishments that think it’s okay to treat others without respect or kindness.

Most of all, I’ll live my life with love. I hope you can do the same.