I recently lobbied in Washington, D.C., with Choice USA. Unfortunately, the congressional officials we have elected to represent us were unable to treat their constituents with the respect we gave them.

First of all, three other women and I went to Sen. Arlen Specter's office with the intent of talking to them about the benefits of the Putting Prevention First Act, the Emergency Contraception Education Act and other bills in Congress. It seemed that Specter's office did not think we were important enough to have an actual meeting room or office where we could discuss these important issues. Instead, six of us moved the chairs in the lobby into a circle while phones were ringing in the background.

When we asked about Specter's intent with the Federal Marriage Amendment, his legislative assistant said Specter disagreed with gay marriage but did not think it was necessary to amend the Constitution. Sadly, he joined his conservative colleagues by voting to put discrimination into the Constitution. Although I am glad the FMA did not pass, I am disgusted that so many senators voted for it.

However, the cold treatment we received from Sen. Specter's office was minimal compared to what other Choice USA lobbyists found in Sen. Elizabeth Dole's office. First of all, Sen. Dole's office was completely disrespectful to the Choice USA North Carolina constituents who met with her staff. Most infuriating was the fact that her staff was racist, equating "parenting problems" with gay and lesbian couples to single low-income women of color.

These prejudiced comments are not acceptable, especially if they are believed by the people representing us.

Our elected government officials need to be held accountable to the people, and they need to be respectful and listen to what we have to say.

Our nation's capital has an obligation to the American people. As long as senators, representatives and other elected officials disregard our voices, America will never be a country with liberty and justice for all. Discriminatory attitudes should not and will not be tolerated in our country.