No to Wallingford bill

State Sen. Wallingford's bill that would allow discrimination against gay persons under the guise of religious freedom represents a step backward.

The clear arc of civil liberties in America throughout our history is for expanded liberties. In the case of gay citizens, this trend has been rather spectacular in recent years.

In short, just as Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer recently vetoed a bill similar to state Sen. Wallingford's on the grounds that 1) she was unaware of any infringement of religious liberty and 2) the reality that such a bill would be bad for Arizona's image, business prospects and in-migration of young, educated people, state Sen. Wallingford's backward-looking bill should be voted down. Indeed, it does not deserve serious consideration.

ARTHUR HOFFMAN, St. Louis, Mo.