It was with astonishment and incredulity that I read the accounts of former New London Housing Authority Executive Director Sue Shontell claiming discrimination based on her sexual orientation by city officials and the New London Housing Authority board. In none of the NLHA meetings I have attended or the conversations I've had with board member Kathleen Mitchell and Mayor Michael Passero have I heard any reference to, in even any vague way, Sue Shontell's sexual orientation.

As a member of the LGBTQ community myself, I take these matters very seriously.

I believe that this allegation by the executive director is nothing but a desperate effort. Shontell's actions deflect from the real issues of discrimination faced by people with disabilities, people of color, the elderly, members of the LGBTQ community, and the marginalized who live at the NLHA-managed buildings.

If these claims are false, it is an insult to tenants, and the wider LGBTQ community. Tenants have been subjected to the autocratic oppression of the executive director and many of the authority's employees for too long.

Mayor Passero, Councilman John Satti, the new NLHA board, and Councilwoman Martha Marx are only guilty of one thing that I am aware of, and that is caring about the tenants. It is crystal clear that positive change will prevail.

Melanie Murray

New London