Equal treatment for gays applies to marriage

Nov, 16-2009 10:56 am

To the editor:

This letter is in response to a letter in The Current on Nov. 6 written by Donald W. Prettyman regarding marriage.

The Constitution of the United States under the 14th Amendment grants equal protection to all of its citizens under the law. I have great confidence that sooner or later this issue will finally reach the Supreme Court, and it will grant gay and lesbian people the right to marry. In the context of granting access to rights currently denied, this is a civil issue not a religious one. Conservatives are pushing for a federal marriage amendment because they know the Constitution likely reflects in favor of the right for gay people to marry.

Gay and lesbian people do not have an agenda. As Americans they expect to be treated equally under the Constitution. They are not asking for religious permission, just equal civil protections. Marriage, as far as the government is concerned, is a legal contract that affords a variety of rights to the participants. This type of private contract frankly does not involve anyone else. Marriage for gay people doesn’t involve or hurt anyone. Gay and lesbian Americans are a part of the diversity that makes this country great and are a part of everyday life. They don’t go to gay grocery stores, pay with gay currency or have gay driver’s licenses. They make your food, draw your blood, adopt and raise children, attend church and serve our country.

This country is not a theocracy, and not everyone has the same understanding of God. Churches have the right to refuse to marry gay people. I don’t dispute that. Personally I don’t see how denying the blessing of marriage reconciles itself with Christ’s message of love and compassion. And as far as God’s purpose for the strength of the family unit: is divorce part of it? How about polygamy? How about eating shrimp? All of these derive from the same source of “rules” that are used by many as justification against marriage equality.

Love is found in many places, among many different people. Most religions attest that God is love, as Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself." Also, love can be interpreted as a part of the American dream: “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” It is simply un-Christian and un-American to deny these basic tenets of faith and country to any other American citizen.

Matt Hoffman

Absecon