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Advocates who saw a glimmer of hope in the attendance by state Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, and Delegate Danielle Walker, D-Monongalia, at a panel discussion of the proposed Fairness Act hosted by Fairness West Virginia, should pay close attention to the language Carmichael used.
Carmichael said that, though he, because of his faith, adamantly opposes all forms of discrimination, he could not guarantee the bill would pass in the 2020 session.
"This may not be the right bill, it may not be the right time," Carmichael said. "It may not be in the perfect structure. And we need to find that out."
While he was correct in laying out such warnings, advocates should not see it as a sign that Carmichael knows something they do not know, either.
Rather than being a harbinger of doom for the proposal, his comments should be used as a spur to get as many folks to the table as possible to start an honest conversation about how to make such legislation work for all West Virginians.
Honest is not always easy. These will be tough conversations, if lawmakers are willing to have them.
How do we avoid going past equality and fairness and instead setting up special protections for some people while punishing others, as Delegate Jim Butler, R-Mason, says he is concerned might happen? How do we get past the myths and urban legends that have fueled half of the discussion to this point? How do we make sure the entire faith community has a seat at the table, not just a vocal few?
What are the fears? What are the real stories? What do we let go of; and what do we embrace?
How do we do what is right for ALL of us?
Put together "the right bill," get as close as you can to "the perfect structure," and it WILL be the right time.