Dear Governor Snyder,

Let’s talk.

Just days before Christmas, you signed a bill that intentionally makes life harder for families in Michigan. And we–black, white, hispanic, and asian, straight, gay, and transgender folks–have an obligation to tell you that we’re disappointed because you’re smart enough to know the harm you’re causing your neighbors and our state.

You’ve talked a lot about re-inventing Michigan – you know, “Michigan 3.0″? What ever happened to that? And to teamwork – and attracting business that would bring the best and the brightest here?

We’re not sure why you made this choice or, what you can do to fix it at this point, but we know it’s important to let you know–we thought better of you.

We expect this type of blatant ill-will from the few who are so blinded by prejudice that they can’t see our shared human experience. We didn’t think you, Governor Snyder, were one of those people.

Many of us were excited about having someone, a self-proclaimed nerd who knows what it feels like to be picked on by the powerful, in the Governor’s office. I guess you forgot how that feels.

If you really didn’t know how this was going to hurt gay families, it would have been our fault for not educating you. But we called, and we wrote. We know you heard us. The truth is that you’re a smart guy–one tough nerd–and you knew better.

We have a hunch that because of some political deal you ended up signing a law you didn’t believe in so you could get that bridge, or your budget, or some other bill you really wanted. Maybe it was that development on Lake Michigan. Whatever the deal was, It’s sad that children and families are paying the price.

We get it. It’s hard to stand up to lobbyists. It takes guts to say no to campaign donors. We know it can’t be easy doing what you believe is right when the Lansing influence peddlers call. We guess you weren’t as tough of a nerd as we hoped you would be.

We’re sending this letter not with the expectation that you can change things, but, because when someone you respect, a friend disappoints you, you have an obligation to tell them the truth–even when it’s hard, even when they’re powerful, and especially if they know better.

Sincerely,